Two Hostages Returned Thursday Identified

IFCJ Canada  |  November 7, 2025

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Photo: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90

Last week, the Red Cross received two hostage bodies from Hamas. The Times of Israel reports that the bodies were identified by Israeli authorities as Amiram Cooper, 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25. Both were taken by the terror group on October 7 from their kibbutz homes. Their return marks the first time in nine days that Hamas has released any remaining hostages in Gaza.

Cooper was abducted by Hamas terrorists from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and was assessed as murdered in captivity in February 2024. The IDF confirmed his death in June 2024.

Baruch was also kidnapped by Hamas terrorists from Kibbutz Be’eri during the onslaught. He was killed during a failed IDF hostage rescue mission in December 2023, according to the military.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed hope in a statement that, “amid the grief and the understanding that their hearts will never be whole again,” the return of the two bodies will bring “some measure of comfort” to their families that have lived “in unbearable uncertainty and doubt for over two years.”

After Cooper and Baruch were handed over to the IDF, their caskets were draped in Israeli flags, and a Rabbi led a small service in their honour – as is the case with all hostages who were murdered in Hamas’ captivity.

Cooper is remembered as an economist and poet. He and his wife were taken from their home when terrorists broke down their door. Cooper’s wife was one of the first hostages freed by Hamas that same month in October 2023. Baruch was studying engineering at Ben-Gurion University and served in the IDF’s Education Corps. His brother was killed by Hamas when their kibbutz was invaded. Baruch had also tried to save his grandmother from her burning home.

IFCJ Canada mourns Baruch and Cooper and prays for their families during this time as their loved ones are returned to the Holy Land to be laid to rest. We also keep the families of the remaining 11 hostages in Gaza that have yet to be found in our hearts.