The Israeli military confirmed the deaths of five hostages held in Gaza, saying their families had been informed and the body of one had been returned to Israel.
"In recent days, the IDF and the Israeli police notified the families of the hostages Eliyahu Margalit, Maya Goren, Ronen Engel and Arie Zalmanowitz of their deaths," army spokesman Daniel Hagari said.
He also reported that soldiers had returned the body of a fifth man, whom he identified as Ofir Tsarfati.
Hagari said Gaza militants were still holding "136 hostages, including 17 women and children".
In a separate statement, the army said Tsarfati's body was "found in recent days" in Gaza by soldiers and members of the Shin Bet internal security service and was flown to Israel for burial.
She said the family had been informed of his death. /BGNES
