The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Tuesday afternoon that remains transferred from Gaza overnight were identified as belonging to Ofir Tzarfati, who was murdered while in Hamas captivity and whose body was recovered from Gaza in a military operation in November 2024.
“After completing the identification process this morning, it was determined that the findings returned last night belong to the fallen hostage Ofir Tzarfati,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. “This is a clear violation of the agreement by the Hamas terror organization.”
Officials said the remains were examined at the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir, where tests confirmed their identity. Tzarfati’s family has been notified.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene a security discussion with senior defense officials to consider Israel’s response to what the government described as a “blatant violation” of the ceasefire and the ongoing understandings with Hamas.
Tzarfati had attended the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023, to celebrate his birthday with his girlfriend, Shoval, and close friends when Hamas launched its deadly attack. He was abducted to Gaza and later murdered in captivity. His body was recovered by Israeli forces in late November 2023 and brought for burial in Israel. In March 2024, additional remains were returned, and in August, Hamas released a photograph of his body.
In a statement through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the Tzarfati family said parts of his remains were returned overnight. “We went to sleep last night with hope and anticipation that another family would finally close a painful circle after two years and bring their loved one to burial,” the family said. “But once again, deception was carried out at the expense of our family, which is still trying to heal. This morning we were shown footage of our son’s remains being exhumed, buried, and presented to the Red Cross — a vile manipulation meant to sabotage the deal and abandon the effort to bring the hostages home.
“This is the third time we have been forced to reopen Ofir’s grave and bury our son again. The circle supposedly ‘closed’ in December 2023, but it never truly did. Since then, we have lived with a wound that keeps reopening — between memory and longing, between grief and mission. Our Ofiri went to Nova to celebrate his birthday and never came back. We ask the people of Israel not to forget the fallen, not to forget the hostages, and to continue standing with the families until everyone returns — and after. Only then will we have a future. Only then will we be able to keep living in our country.”
Following the forensic review in Abu Kabir, Israeli officials concluded that Hamas had transferred remains belonging to a hostage who was already returned and buried in Israel, meaning the coffin handed over Monday night did not belong to any of the 13 hostages whose bodies are still held in Gaza.
Netanyahu, who appeared Tuesday morning at the Tel Aviv District Court to testify in his ongoing trial, asked the judges to move to a closed session due to “developments and security discussions taking place since the morning.” The court accepted his request. The prime minister later asked to adjourn the session earlier than scheduled, and the request was granted.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Netanyahu to urgently convene the security cabinet, saying Israel must prepare a “firm and decisive response package.” He added that he would propose arresting all the released Palestinian prisoners from the latest deal in the West Bank. Israeli officials are also expected to consult with the United States on possible sanctions and other responses to Hamas’s actions. Among the measures under consideration is expanding the area under IDF control inside Gaza — effectively moving the so-called “yellow line” deeper into the Strip.
Ruby Chen, father of Sgt. Itay Chen, told Ynet that the events underscored flaws in the ongoing agreement. “This deal is not good. Hamas has no incentive to return all the fallen to Israel. Families are living a nightmare,” he said. “What is the Israeli government doing now? It should focus its energy and thought on changing the equation, not wasting this window of opportunity.”
Ronen Neutra, father of Capt. Omer Neutra, said the night had been “nerve-racking” and described the ongoing ordeal as “continuous terror for more than two years.” He added, “Everyone feels the same unbearable uncertainty. How long will this go on? Tonight we’ll be in Hostages Square, singing for their return. The story isn’t over, and we can’t be left alone, like the families of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul were for so many years. We need everyone with us.”
First published: 09:15, 10.28.25