The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have confirmed that one of the hostages abducted by Hamas during the October 7th attack has been declared dead. Elyakim Libman, a security guard at the Nova festival, was found deceased in Israel. His remains were identified through a “thorough and complex investigation” conducted by the IDF, Israel Police, and the National Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Libman’s family revealed that he had stayed behind for hours, tending to wounded festivalgoers during the attack. His dedication to helping others underscores the tragedy of his loss. Israeli media reports indicate that his remains were mistakenly buried alongside another festival victim.

In a poignant Facebook post around the time of the attack, Libman’s father, Eliyahu, recounted how another guard informed him that Elyakim had assisted in rescuing others before attempting to escape. His last moments were spent aiding two badly injured women.

The October 7th massacre resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, with over 360 festival attendees among the casualties. Shockingly, more than 130 hostages remain unaccounted for, out of the 250 kidnapped by Hamas. At least 34 of these hostages are presumed dead, while the rest have either been released or rescued.

The subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza has claimed the lives of over 34,600 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.