Israeli forces have recovered the bodies of two hostages, including Ilan Weiss, as the military begins a new offensive in Gaza City. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed the recovery on Friday, stating that Weiss was killed on October 7, 2023, while defending Kibbutz Be’eri during a Hamas attack. His wife and daughter were released from captivity in November 2023 as part of a hostage deal. The identity of the second individual has not yet been disclosed.

The Israeli military has declared Gaza City a combat zone and is in the initial stages of a planned offensive that has faced international criticism. The military announced it would suspend midday pauses in fighting that had previously allowed humanitarian aid to enter the city. This decision comes as hundreds of thousands of displaced people in Gaza City are facing severe shortages of food and basic necessities.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported five additional deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 322, including 121 children. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a total death toll of 63,025 since the war began 22 months ago, according to the ministry, which is affiliated with Hamas. Israel disputes these figures but has not provided its own.

Rubi Chen, the father of another hostage, expressed mixed emotions about the recovery operation. He described it as a “stab in the stomach,” noting that while the Weiss family has closure, many others, including his own, are still waiting for news. Chen stated that his family has received intelligence suggesting his son did not survive the initial attack, but Hamas has not confirmed his whereabouts.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the importance of recovering all hostages, stating, "The campaign to return the hostages continues unabated. We will not rest or stand still until we return all our hostages home — the living and the dead alike."

The Israeli military has indicated that its operations in Gaza City will intensify. Avichay Adraee, a spokesman for the Israeli Defense Forces, stated that the military is committed to dismantling Hamas both militarily and politically. He noted that the military is not waiting and is moving forward with its offensive.

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the humanitarian impact of the military operations in Gaza City. The U.N. humanitarian agency warned that the offensive could have a "horrific impact" on the already vulnerable population, which is suffering from malnutrition and displacement. U.N. and NGO teams are on the ground to provide support, but they stress that their efforts need to be facilitated.

In a related development, approximately 440 people are sheltering in Gaza’s only Catholic church, the Holy Family Catholic Church. A spokesman for the church reported that the decision to remain was made voluntarily by those seeking refuge, despite the impending military offensive. Five clergy members are also present to assist those sheltering, which includes women, children, and the elderly. The church has not implemented specific safety measures but has advised those inside to stay close to the walls for protection.