The public was informed on Sunday that the remains of Warrant Officer Aviv Atzili were retrieved from Gaza last week, along with those of Yair Yaakov.
Atzili served as a member of the emergency response unit in Nir Oz and confronted the terrorists who infiltrated Israel on October 7, 2023. He lost his life in the fighting, and his body was taken by Islamic Jihad operatives from the kibbutz. He was 49 years old when he was killed.
His wife, Liat, had been kidnapped from their home in Nir Oz by Hamas operatives and was later freed through a hostage release agreement.
Liat learned of her husband’s death two days after she was brought home. The couple had three children—ages 18, 20, and 22. On the day of the attack, their youngest daughter, Aya, was away serving her national service in Kibbutz Samar. The two older children, Ofri and Neta, were present at Nir Oz during the attack but survived.
Israeli forces from the 188th Brigade uncovered the tunnel shaft in Khan Yunis during their operation, spotting evidence suggesting it was used to hold hostages. Elite soldiers from the Yahalom Unit were brought in, descended into the tunnel, and discovered the two bodies.
As of now, 53 individuals remain held in Gaza; authorities estimate that 20 are still alive, while 33 are believed to have died.
In a public statement, the Hostages Families Forum shared its sorrow: “extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Aviv Atzili during this difficult time, following the announcement of his return home. His return serves as a stark reminder of the obligation to bring back all 53 remaining hostages—a duty that remains as urgent today as ever and must remain our constant priority. We ask that the family’s request for privacy be respected and that they not be approached directly.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
