Meny Godard Identified as Israeli Hostage Body Returned by Hamas

Published: 14 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Israel has confirmed that the body returned by Hamas on Thursday belongs to Meny Godard, a 73-year-old Israeli who was killed during the devastating attacks launched by Hamas on 7 October 2023. The identification was confirmed through forensic testing, following the retrieval of the body by Red Cross vehicles in southern Gaza, specifically in the Khan Younis area.

The return of Godard’s body comes as part of a broader ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States, which stipulates the phased handover of both living and deceased hostages. This agreement is a critical component of efforts to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Under the terms of the ceasefire, Hamas has committed to returning all remaining hostages, including 20 still alive and 28 who were killed during the initial assault.

Godard and his wife, Ayelet, were among those tragically killed during the brutal Hamas raid on Kibbutz Be’eri on 7 October 2023. The attack, which took place in southern Israel, claimed the lives of 1,200 people, including civilians, and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages by Hamas. The incident marked one of the deadliest escalations in the region in recent decades, prompting a significant Israeli military response and intensifying international concern.

The first phase of the ceasefire arrangement saw all living Israeli hostages released on 13 October 2023 in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,718 detainees from Gaza. While this represented a significant step towards de-escalation, the issue of deceased hostages remained unresolved. For each dead Israeli returned, Israel has agreed to release the remains of 15 Palestinians. However, due to the lack of DNA testing facilities in Gaza, the identification of Palestinian bodies remains a complex and challenging process.

Despite the progress achieved under the ceasefire, three bodies of Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, alongside one Thai national. The slow pace of their recovery has been a point of contention between Israel and Hamas. Israeli authorities have accused Hamas of deliberately delaying the return of the hostages’ remains, while Hamas officials have explained that the bodies are difficult to locate amidst the rubble caused by the conflict.

The return of Meny Godard’s body represents a significant development in the ongoing negotiations and is expected to provide some measure of closure for the families affected. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that forensic testing conclusively established the identity of the returned remains, ensuring that families and authorities could proceed with proper funerary rites and commemorations.

The broader context of the hostage situation is closely tied to the wider humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israeli retaliatory operations have resulted in the deaths of over 69,000 Palestinians, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, which the United Nations has deemed reliable. The extensive casualties have underscored the scale of devastation and highlighted the pressing need for political solutions to prevent further loss of life.

The second phase of the US-led ceasefire plan, which remains stalled, is intended to address governance in Gaza, the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the reconstruction of infrastructure devastated by months of conflict. The delayed progress is directly linked to the complex logistics and political sensitivities surrounding the recovery of bodies and the safe release of hostages.

For Israel, the identification of Meny Godard is not only a personal moment of grief for his family but also a symbolic step in a protracted struggle to recover its citizens from hostile conditions. Each returned body represents both a humanitarian relief and a political negotiation, with carefully calibrated agreements on prisoner exchanges and other concessions.

Hamas’ seizure of hostages on 7 October 2023 demonstrated the organization’s capability to orchestrate large-scale, coordinated attacks and underscored the vulnerability of border communities in southern Israel. The abductions and subsequent handling of hostages have been a persistent point of tension in ongoing peace negotiations, complicating efforts by international mediators to facilitate dialogue.

The release of living hostages in mid-October 2023 was widely covered in the media and hailed as a breakthrough, though it left unresolved the difficult issue of the deceased. Israel’s agreement to exchange 15 Palestinian remains for each dead Israeli hostage has been one of the most sensitive elements of the ceasefire plan, highlighting the challenges of conducting humanitarian operations in a highly militarized and politically complex environment.

International organizations, including the Red Cross, have played a central role in ensuring the secure transport and verification of returned bodies. The Red Cross’ involvement has been crucial in providing neutral oversight and facilitating communication between conflicting parties, underscoring the importance of international mechanisms in mitigating the humanitarian fallout of conflicts.

As negotiations continue, the slow pace of progress has drawn criticism from both domestic and international observers. Israel has emphasized the urgency of recovering all hostages and returning them to their families, while Hamas continues to contend with operational challenges in locating and handling bodies amid destruction. The interplay between humanitarian concerns and strategic political considerations makes this a particularly delicate stage in the ongoing conflict.

The tragic story of Meny Godard serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the conflict. Beyond the broader political and military narratives, the experiences of individual victims highlight the urgent need for conflict resolution, accountability, and protection of civilians. Godard’s identification allows for the grieving process to begin for his loved ones and reinforces the importance of adhering to humanitarian principles even in highly charged political circumstances.

While much work remains, including the recovery of the remaining hostages and the implementation of the second phase of the ceasefire plan, the return of Meny Godard’s body is a critical milestone. It represents not only a procedural success in confirming identity and facilitating repatriation but also a tangible step toward mitigating the human suffering caused by the ongoing conflict.

In conclusion, the identification of Meny Godard marks a significant development in the complex and highly sensitive situation arising from the October 2023 Hamas attacks in southern Israel. The broader ceasefire agreement and ongoing negotiations underscore the intertwined challenges of diplomacy, humanitarian intervention, and political strategy. As Israel and Hamas continue to navigate these sensitive arrangements, the return of each hostage, living or deceased, remains a crucial measure of progress and a solemn reminder of the human impact of the conflict.