In a tragic development, the body of Yehudit Weiss, a 65-year-old mother of five who was held captive by Hamas during their attacks on October 7, has been recovered by the Israeli military. Weiss was found in a “structure” adjacent to the al-Shifa Hospital, according to military officials. The news comes as Israeli forces continue their major military operation in Gaza, raising concerns about the welfare of patients and staff at the hospital.
Weiss was one of approximately 240 people taken captive by Hamas during the attacks, which marked the largest assault on Israel in decades. Her husband, Shmulik Weiss, tragically lost his life during the attack on their home. Weiss, described as a “loving full-time grandmother” by the support group Bring Them Home Now, had a passion for traveling, baking, and sports. She was also recovering from breast cancer at the time of her capture.
Israeli officials reported that military equipment, including Kalashnikov rifles and RPGs, were found in the same location as Weiss’s body. This discovery adds to the ongoing debates surrounding the role of al-Shifa Hospital in the conflict. Israel has claimed that the hospital has been used as a Hamas command center and released a video showing weapons and a hole in the ground surrounded by rubble. However, Hamas and hospital officials vehemently deny these allegations, with Hamas official Bassem Naim calling them a “farce.” Naim even raised the possibility that Israeli soldiers planted the weapons themselves.
The situation at al-Shifa Hospital remains dire, with Ashraf al-Qudra, a spokesman for the Health Ministry in Gaza, warning that “thousands of women, children, sick, and wounded” are at risk of death as Israeli forces continue to occupy the complex. The dueling narratives about the hospital’s role in the war add further complexity to the already tense situation.
As the recovery of Yehudit Weiss’s body brings closure to her family, it also highlights the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The search for peace and stability in the region remains a complex challenge, with both sides presenting their own versions of events. The international community watches closely as the situation unfolds, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the well-being of all those affected.
