JERUSALEM, Oct 21, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Israel said Tuesday that remains of a hostage held in Gaza, returned by Hamas a day earlier, had been identified as those of Tal Chaimi, a non-commissioned officer killed on October 7, 2023.

"Following the completion of the identification process... representatives of (the army) informed the family of the hostage, Sergeant Major Tal Chaimi, of blessed memory, that their loved one had been returned to Israel and his identification had been completed," the Israeli prime minister's office said.

Tal Chaimi, 41, commander of the Nir Yitzhak kibbutz defence militia, was killed on the first day of the war triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. His body was taken to Gaza.