A 86-year-old kibbutz founder, the oldest Oct. 7 hostage, was returned to Israel after being murdered in Gaza.

Arie Zalmanowicz, 86, a founding member of Kibbutz Nir Oz and the oldest hostage taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, has been returned to Israel after being murdered in captivity. His remains, along with those of 38-year-old Tamir Adar, were repatriated on Oct. 21, 2025, after over two years in Gaza. Zalmanowicz, a farmer and historian, reportedly died in November 2023 due to lack of medical care. Footage from captivity showed him injured and struggling. Adar, a reservist soldier, was killed defending his kibbutz. Thirteen hostages remain in Gaza. Israeli officials confirmed the returns and urged Hamas to fulfill its obligations to release all remaining bodies.