Funerals have begun for dead Israelis returned from Gaza in the ceasefire and hostage exchange deal, as the nation prepares to receive the remains of more former captives.

The first funeral was that of 26-year-old Guy Illouz, a sound technician who was abducted by Hamas while working at the Nova music festival — the scene of one of the deadliest massacres on October 7, 2023.

His family has known for two years he was dead, after a freed hostage reported seeing him in a Gaza hospital, chained to a bed and suffering from untreated injuries.

Hundreds lined the roads near Israel's national forensics centre on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, as well as at the cemetery where he was laid to rest in Ra'anana, north of the city.

Mr Illouz's family, led by father Michel, embraced outside the cemetery

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