Four coffins of the fallen arrived at National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir in the early hours of the morning (Thursday) for identification after being released from Hamas captivity. Kibbutz Nir Oz officially announced the murder of two of the four who were definitely identified – Ohad Yahalomi and Itzik Elgart, of blessed memory. Shlomo Mansour’s sister and the family of Tzachi Idan also announced that their loved ones had been definitively identified.
Itzik Elgart (69): A Committed Kibbutz Man and a Giving Person
Itzik (Yitzhak) Elgart was a dedicated maintenance worker at Kibbutz Nir Oz, a warm and beloved man who was always ready to help. An avid football fan and supporter of Maccabi Tel Aviv, he played the game himself and was an integral part of community life at the kibbutz.
On the day of his abduction, he managed to call his brother, Danny Elgart, who was a former police station commander in Ashdod. In this call, made at 11:27 AM, he sounded anxious and scared. He reported that his hand had been seriously injured but did not realize he had been shot by the militants. Danny guided him on how to stop the bleeding, but during the conversation, screams in Arabic were heard. “Then he shouted with his last strength: ‘Danny, it’s the end, Danny, it’s the end!’ and the call was disconnected,” recounts Danny.
Later on, his phone tracking showed that at 12:00 PM he crossed the security fence into Gaza, and by 4:00 PM he was already in the city center. Months later, released hostages testified that they had seen him, which gave his family hope. Danny, a prominent voice in the fight to return the hostages, hoped until the last moment to receive conclusive evidence that he was alive.
Throughout the years, Itzik also lived in Denmark, where his children were born, and it is likely that due to security concerns, they avoided public exposure.
Kibbutz Nir Oz issued a staement:
“”Itzik, who was abducted at the age of 68, followed his brother to Nir Oz and was a beloved figure in the community. For years, he served the kibbutz with dedication as a groundskeeper and was responsible for the plumbing, gas, and steam system maintenance. He was an integral part of our social fabric, loved spending time at the local pub, hosting friends, and connecting generations. His great love for soccer and backgammon was well known, and he was a star in local games, always with a smile and a good spirit. Itzik leaves behind two children, a brother, and two sisters. We will remember him for his laughter, his big heart, and his constant willingness to be there for anyone in need. May his memory be blessed.”
Tzachi Idan (56): A Devoted Father Facing Difficult Moments
Tzachi Idan lived in Kibbutz Nahal Oz with his wife Gali and their three children, Ma’ayan (18), Yael (12), and Shahar (10). On the day of the abduction, the family barricaded themselves in the bomb shelter, but the militants managed to break into their home. During the moments of panic, their daughter Ma’ayan was murdered before their eyes while his wife and the other two children remained in the bomb shelter.
For a long time, the family received little information about his fate. Only in November, with the release of women and children, it was revealed that he was among the hostages. Hagar Brodutch, one of the released captives, recounted that she met Tzachi for 48 hours during captivity before her release. She described how they encountered him while traveling through the streets of Gaza. “He was wearing a corona mask and a black wool hat. We weren’t allowed to talk, but we exchanged words, and I understood that he was from Nahal Oz,” she shared.
Tzachi’s mother, Dvora Idan, fought for his return, appeared at rallies, and urged leaders to act for his return.
The statement from the family of Tzachi Idan, of blessed memory:
“The unbearable journey of our family to bring back our beloved and dear Tzachi from the inferno in Gaza has ended with the identification of his body by an authorized team from the State of Israel. The uncertainty and relentless turmoil have come to an end. Tzachi was abductedalive and on his feet, and we received several signs of life from him during this period. As of the hostage deal proposal in November 2023, he was still alive and expected to be released. Tzachi leaves behind a mother, three brothers, a wife, and three children, as well as an extended family and many friends.
“We will remember him for his laughter, his big heart, and his willingness to help.”
Shlomo Mansour (87): A Man of Peace and a Beloved Person
Shlomo Mansour was the oldest of the hostages. For more than 70 years, he lived in Kibbutz Kissufim, which was home and family for him. As a child, he survived the Farhud riots in Iraq, and as an adult, he was a warm, honest, and kind-hearted man. He was married to Mazal, and together they raised five children and 12 grandchildren.
Shlomo was kidnapped from his home when his wife, Mazal, saw him being taken by the militants. For nearly a year and a half, his family fought for his return, hoping that he was still alive, but ultimately they were informed that he was murdered on that terrible day. He was a humble man, beloved by his family and friends in the kibbutz. His mustache became his trademark, and his friends described him as someone who was always there for others.
Ohad Yahalomi (50): Nature Ranger and Devoted Father Fighting for His Family
Ohad Yahalomi, a ranger at the Nature and Parks Authority and an expert in desert nature, lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz with his wife Bat Sheva and their three children. He was a nature lover, a devoted family man, and someone who always considered the well-being of others.
On October 7, he entered the bomb shelter with his family, but when he noticed that the shelter door was not closing properly, he went outside to protect them and secure it from the outside. At that moment, militants broke into their home, opened fire, and injured him. The militants kidnapped Bat Sheva and the three children from the bomb shelter—two daughters were taken on one motorcycle, and their son Eitan, then 12 years old, was abducted on another motorcycle, while Ohad himself, remaining injured, was taken later.
As the kidnappers approached the border, the motorcycle carrying the militant with Bat Sheva and their two daughters overturned, and Bat Sheva managed to escape with her daughters. Ohad and Eitan were transferred to Gaza and taken captive. Eitan was held captive for 52 days, of which 16 days were in solitude, before being released as part of a deal. Since then, his wife Bat Sheva and their family have fought to return Ohad.
President’s Eulogy
The President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog eulogized the four fallen this morning:
“Our hearts ache upon receiving the bitter news of the identification of the bodies of Ohad Yahalomi, Tzachi Idan, Itzik Elgart, and Shlomo Mansour, of blessed memory, who were returned last night from the captivity of Hamas murderers. In this difficult hour, there is some solace in knowing that they will be laid to rest in a Jewish burial.”
Paying Last Respects
Residents of Kibbutz Kissufim turned out in the middle of the night to accompany the fallen on their way.
תושבי קיבוץ כיסופים יצאו ללוות בצומת גמה את ארבעת החטופים החללים שישובו הלילה @Itsik_zuarets pic.twitter.com/6caA6JKxZn
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) February 26, 2025
