It was confirmed that the body that was recovered in Gaza is that of the hostage, Hamza Al-Zayadani, 23 years old.

The Israeli army confirmed on Friday that one of the bodies recovered from Gaza earlier this week was that of 23-year-old hostage Hamza al-Zayadani.

His body was recovered with his father Yousef Al-Zayadniwho were brought together when Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel 15 months ago. His father was quickly identified, while his son’s remains were sent for verification.

In recent weeks, Israel and Hamas appeared to be close to reaching a ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages. Palestinians and family members of hostages killed in captivity are appealing to the Israeli government and world leaders to reach a ceasefire agreement.

The Gaza Health Ministry said Thursday that 46,006 Palestinians have been killed and 109,378 others wounded in the war between Israel and Hamas, with no end in sight. She said that women and children constitute more than half of the dead, but the ministry does not distinguish between fighters or civilians in the number of deaths.

The Israeli army says it killed more than 17,000 militants without providing evidence. It blames Hamas for the killing of civilians because it says activists are active in residential areas.

Israeli air and ground operations have pushed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into sprawling camps along the coast with limited access to food and other necessities.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping about 250. A third of the 100 hostages still being held in Gaza are believed to be dead.