Mansour Confirmed Dead; Netanyahu Condemns Hamas

Shlomo Mansour, an 86-year-old Holocaust survivor and the oldest Israeli hostage, was confirmed dead by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) after being abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Mansour was taken from his home in Kibbutz Kissufim during a Hamas attack, and his body was subsequently transported to Gaza, where it remains held by the group. This announcement came after intelligence gathered over months confirmed his death, initially believed to be among hostages set for release under a ceasefire deal. Mansour, born in Iraq, had survived the Farhud pogrom in 1941 before moving to Israel and helping found the kibbutz. His family and community mourned him as a beloved figure, calling for the return of all hostages, both living and deceased. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue efforts to return all hostages and condemned Hamas for violating the ceasefire agreement by delaying further hostage releases.