The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an advocacy group representing Israeli families affected by the crisis, celebrated the return of Rudaeff.

However, the remains of five individuals, including three Israelis, one Thai national captured during the October 7 incident, and Israeli officer Hadar Goldin, who perished in 2014 during a previous Gaza conflict, are still awaited.

Zamir reiterated both his and the IDF’s steadfast dedication to retrieving Hadar and all the fallen hostages, according to the group.

Leah Goldin, the mother of Israeli soldier Lieutenant Hadar Goldin, holds up a photograph of her son. Source: AFP / Jack Guez

At the start of the truce last month, Hamas quickly returned 20 surviving hostages and Israel released hundreds of Palestinian detainees.

The Palestinian bodies were returned to the hospital by the Red Cross, as in previous transfers. The Palestinian remains have been returned unidentified and many have been consigned to mass graves.

Agence France-Presse footage showed medics at Nasser Medical Centre bringing the corpses in large white body bags.

Israeli settlers attack Palestinians, journalists at West Bank olive harvest, witnesses say

As the number of such attacks has climbed, Israeli and other activists have often joined Palestinians to support them and their right to harvest their olive groves, while also documenting any violence. Activists or local Palestinians often inform journalists of harvesting plans, so they can attend to report, particularly in flashpoint areas, such as outposts.

Witnesses said they saw no Israeli soldiers at the scene.