The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the recovery of Corporal Noa Marciano’s body. Marciano, a 19-year-old soldier, was taken hostage by Hamas during the suprise attacks and massacres of October 7. After an exhaustive search, her remains were found in a building near Shifa Hospital in Gaza, indicating another Hamas war ctime.

The IDF detailed that a thorough identification process was undertaken by military medical staff and rabbinical personnel prior to notifying Marciano’s family. The tragic news comes in the wake of a video released by Hamas earlier, which falsely attributed Marciano’s death to an Israeli airstrike. Contrary to their claim, the IDF asserts that she was, in fact, killed by Hamas, with evidence that her head wound was consistent with a blow and not a bomb.

Marciano, a resident of Modiin, served in the 414th Battalion of the Border Guard Corps. Her abduction took place at Kibbutz Nahal Oz’s IDF base during the notorious October 7 massacre. The IDF expressed its condolences to the Marciano family and pledged ongoing support. Her funeral was held Friday.

The military’s statement also highlighted their commitment to all families of hostages and missing persons, vowing to use all available means to secure their return. The IDF, in cooperation with national and security institutions, is steadfast in their mission to bring home those taken by Hamas.

The case has drawn considerable public outcry, with demonstrations outside the United Nations Headquarters in Jerusalem calling for action to rescue those kidnapped. Hamas, in defiance of international law, holds nearly 240 hostages from the attacks.

Discussions facilitated by Qatar between Israel and Hamas suggest a potential exchange deal that might see about 50 hostages released for a temporary ceasefire.

Avi Marciano, Noa’s father, led a march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, demanding that the Israeli government include the hostages’ families in any negotiations, refusing to be sidelined in the fight for their loved ones’ return.