<p>The family of Yair Yaakov family commented on the recovery of his body: "On this difficult evening, we feel a sense of closure. This is a circle that we deeply needed to close in order to begin looking ahead. We wholeheartedly thank the security forces and the brave soldiers who took part in the complex recovery operation."</p><p>The family added: "However, we reiterate our position — the lives of soldiers should not be placed on the line. The hostages must be brought back through a deal that avoids further danger to soldiers or to the hostages themselves. On this day, we also wish to remember the families of the hostages who are still waiting for their loved ones — for them, these are unbearably difficult days. Our hearts will not be whole until they all return.”</p>

Rabbi Aharon Teitelbaum will arrive on a special charter flight accompanied by thousands of Hasidim from the United States and other countries.

<p>Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Tuesday that he had instructed the IDF to prevent any attempt by jihadist protesters from Egypt to infiltrate the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that the security of IDF soldiers will not be compromised.</p><p>Katz called on the Egyptian authorities to prevent the protesters from reaching the Egypt-Israel border and warned that their attempts to enter Gaza pose a threat not only to Israel, but also to the Egyptian regime and other moderate Arab governments in the region.</p><p>According to Katz, the protesters seek to support Hamas and promote radical Islamic ideology, backed by the Iranian axis of evil and other terror elements.</p>

After the meetings of the haredi parties with the Knesset's legal advisors, the gaps between the parties are still large. "Netanyahu is still not engaged."

<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: "In an operation carried out by the IDF and the Shin Bet in the Gaza Strip, the bodies of two of our hostages were returned to Israel — Yair Yaakov, of blessed memory, and another hostage whose name has not yet been cleared for publication (his family has been notified). Yair Yaakov was murdered and abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz by Islamic Jihad on October 7, 2023.</p><p>"Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their most precious loved ones. I thank the soldiers and commanders for yet another successful execution of the sacred mission to bring our hostages home. We will not rest or be silent until we bring all our hostages home — both the living and the fallen," he added.</p>

<p>National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir commented on the recovery from Gaza of the bodies of hostage Yair Yaakov and another hostage.</p><p>"I commend the IDF and Shin Bet for retrieving the bodies of our hostages, Yair Yaakov, may his memory be a blessing, and another hostage whose name has not yet been cleared for publication. I send my condolences and embrace to the dear families, sharing in their profound grief. To bring back all our hostages and continue living here safely, we must remain committed to intense combat against Hamas with full force - until its complete destruction," said Ben Gvir.</p>

As pressure mounts over the conscription law, Agudat Yisrael ministers warn they may quit the cabinet if the Knesset does not dissolve.

An Armored Corps officer serving as a deputy company commander in the 188th Engineering Battalion was moderately to severely wounded after being shot by soldiers who thought he was a terrorist.