Remains of hostages Amiram Cooper 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25, returned to Israel
Hamas still holds eleven hostage bodies in Gaza
Hamas returned the bodies of Amiram Cooper, 84, and Sahar Baruch, 25, to Israel on Thursday after 755 days, with authorities confirming their identities within hours.
On the morning of 7 October 2023, Sahar Baruch was staying with his brother Idan at their mother’s house in Kibbutz Be’eri. During the terrorist incursion, Idan was murdered and Sahar was abducted to Gaza.
He was killed during an attempt by the IDF to rescue him.
Sahar had returned from travelling in South America after his military service as an engine technician in the Navy and was set to begin studying electrical and computer engineering at Ben Gurion university.
In a statement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said: “He had an adventurous spirit and leadership skills, was a chess player with broad knowledge in many fields. In his teenage years, he grew his hair, which he donated when he got a haircut ahead of his enlistment. When he returned from the trip with long hair, he planned to donate it again, but he didn’t manage to do so.”
Sashar Baruch is survived by his parents Tammi and Roni, and brothers Guy and Niv.
Amiram Cooper was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of 7 October along with his wife Nirit. He was murdered after surviving months in Hamas captivity, with the IDF confirming his death in June 2024.
His wife Nirit was released from captivity after 17 days.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel said: “Amiram, one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was a poet, composer, and economist. He published 3 volumes of poetry during his lifetime. His most famous poem, “Golden Ears”, was written in 1960 in honour of the kibbutz’s fifth anniversary.”
He left behind his wife, 4 children, and 11 grandchildren.
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