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The body of an Israeli hostage who defenders say “fought heroically” to defend his community during a “fierce battle” on October 7, 2023, has been returned by terrorists for burial, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The Israeli military announced that Lior Rudaeff, 61, was returned after he “fell during battle while defending his community during the October 7 massacre” and “was taken captive by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization.”
“Lior returns home after 763 days,” the Missing Families and Hostages Forum said Saturday. “On the morning of October 7, Lior, with the Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak emergency response team, fought heroically near the kibbutz gate and detained many terrorists.”
“After a fierce battle, Lior was killed and his body was kidnapped in Gaza along with Tal Haimi of blessed memory, whose body was later returned for burial,” the organization added.
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Israeli soldiers are seen walking through Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak in Israel on October 25, 2023. The body of Lior Rudaeff, who was killed in the October 7, 2023 attacks, was returned to Israel on Friday, according to the Israeli military. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images; Hostage and Missing Families Forum/AP)
The IDF said Rudaeff's death was confirmed on May 7, 2024. He leaves behind his wife and four children.
“The IDF expresses its deepest condolences to the family, continues to make every effort to return all deceased hostages, and is prepared for the continued implementation of the agreement,” he said, referring to the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Hamas.
“Hamas is required to fulfill its part of the agreement and make the necessary efforts to return all hostages to their families and a dignified burial,” the army added.
A Red Cross convoy carrying the body of a person believed to be a deceased hostage handed over by Hamas heads towards the border crossing with Israel, in Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, November 7, 2025. (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP)
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The Hostage and Missing Families Forum said Rudaeff was born in Argentina and immigrated to Israel at the age of 7.
“Those close to him say he had a generous spirit and volunteered for 40 years as an ambulance driver with the Eshkol Regional Council and as a member of the Nir Yitzhak emergency response team. He was always the first to volunteer and extended a helping hand to everyone,” he added.
Protesters hold a sign with a photograph of Israeli hostage Lior Rudaeff in Tel Aviv, Israel, August 15, 2024. (Matan Golan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
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As of Saturday, the organization said the bodies of five deceased hostages were still being held in the Gaza Strip.
