Israeli believed to be held hostage in Gaza is dead

Israel’s military said Thursday that Ofir Tzarfati, an Israeli believed to be held hostage in Gaza following Hamas’ attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, is dead, according to the Associated Press.

Tzarfati was thought to be among the approximately 240 people taken hostage by Hamas since the start of the war, the AP reports. He had been celebrating his 27th birthday at a music festival with his girlfriend when Hamas militants stormed into Israel and killed at least 364 people there and kidnapped many others. 

Tzarfati’s family was originally unclear what happened to him, but a few weeks later, the army notified the family that they believed that Tzarfati was being held in Gaza, the AP said, citing media reports. 

The army did not specify Thursday where Tzarfati’s body wa identified.