On Monday, the Israeli military reported the death of a soldier who had been held hostage by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip for nearly nine months, following Hamas’ October 7 attack.
In a separate statement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated that Mohammad Alatrash was killed during the October raid on southern Israel and his body was captured by Hamas militants.
Israeli officials have previously verified that Alatrash, a sergeant major in the Israeli military’s Bedouin Trackers Unit, was kidnapped on October 7.
The site stated that Alatrash, 39, is survived by two spouses and 13 children.
“The Families Forum will continue to support and stand by the family during this difficult time and until his remains are returned to Israel,” according to the statement.
According to an AFP calculation based on official Israeli numbers, Alatrash’s death brings the total number of those killed by Hamas’ strike to 1,195, the majority of whom were civilian.
According to Israel, Palestinian militants took 251 people hostage during the attack, 116 of whom are being held captive in the Gaza Strip. The military reports 42 deaths, including at least nine troops.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Strip’s health ministry, Israel’s retaliatory assault and bombardment has killed at least 37,626 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians.