Israel has received the bodies of Inbar Hayman, the last female hostage remaining in Gaza, and Sgt. Maj. Muhammad Al-Atresh, an IDF tracker. Hayman, 27, was declared deceased on Dec. 15, 2023, following intelligence indicating she was murdered at the Nova festival during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. Her body was taken into Gaza, and she is survived by her parents and brother.
Al-Atresh, who served as an IDF tracker, was declared deceased on June 24, 2024, and was also killed during the Oct. 7 massacre. His family is composed of his parents, nine brothers, 13 sisters, two wives, and 13 children. Both the IDF and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office have reiterated their call for Hamas to fulfill its obligation to return all deceased hostages’ remains.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has continued to advocate for the return of all remaining deceased hostages, including the remains of U.S. citizens Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. The forum’s statement from Hayman’s family expressed a mix of joy and profound sadness, emphasizing that Inbar should receive the rest and honor she deserves. They have also called on the public to honor her by wearing pink at her funeral and using pink writing for her funeral information instead of the traditional black lettering.
Hayman, known as PINK, was a talented graffiti artist and served as a commander in the Caracal Battalion for three years. Her family has asked the public to come and honor her. The funeral of hostages and deceased soldiers in Israel is often open to the public, reflecting the nation’s deep connection to its military and the families of its fallen.
The remains of 19 deceased hostages still remain in Gaza, including the bodies of U.S. citizens Itay Chen and Omer Neutra. One of the bodies in Gaza is that of Hadar Goldin, who was killed in 2014. His mother, Leah, has been fighting for more than a decade to give her son a proper burial. The ongoing situation underscores the emotional and political significance of the remaining hostages and the urgent call to bring them home.
Additionally, a couple separated and kidnapped during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack has finally been reunited after their hostage ordeal. This story highlights the personal and national impact of the conflict, as families and the nation continue to seek closure and justice for the missing and deceased.