The Israeli military says it has recovered the bodies of five Israelis taken back to Gaza as hostages during Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on 7 October, Paralel.Az reports citing BBC.

The bodies of kindergarten teacher Maya Goren as well as the soldiers Major Ravid Aryeh Katz, Master Sergeant Oren Goldin, Staff Sergeant Tomer Ahimas and Sergeant Kiril Brodski were found during an operation in the Khan Younis area.

The military said it had determined that Ms Goren was murdered in captivity, while the soldiers were killed in combat on 7 October and their bodies then abducted.

The announcement means 111 of the 251 people taken hostage are still being held in Gaza, including 39 who the military says are presumed dead.

On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred frequently to the fate of the hostages in his address to the US Congress, but he gave no clue as to whether a deal with Hamas to secure their release in return for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange was close.

“As we speak, we’re actively engaged in intensive efforts to secure their release,” he said.