The bodies of Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch have been returned to Israel for a proper Jewish burial.
By Rachel Avraham
The bodies of two Israeli hostages, Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch, were returned to Israel by Hamas and formally identified, Israeli authorities and their kibbutzim confirmed Thursday, Yedioth Achronot reported. Arutz Sheva reported that Hamas is still holding onto the bodies of 11 hostages.
“The government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Cooper and Baruch families, and of all the families of the fallen hostages,” the Prime Minister’s Office said. “The government and all state agencies remain determined and committed to bringing back all the fallen hostages for proper burial in Israel.”
Yedioth Achronot reported that officials added that Hamas must uphold its commitments to international mediators and return the remaining bodies. “We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until every hostage is brought home,” the statement said.
Cooper, who was murdered by Hamas at age 85, was an economist, farmer and poet, remembered as a devoted family man, Yedioth Achronot reported. According to the report, he was married to Nurit, the father of Rotem, Ravit, Lotan and Yisroel (Yisrulik), and grandfather to 11. Yedioth Achronot reported that he helped to establish Kibbutz Nir Oz in the western Negev.
During his 65 years at Nir Oz, Cooper served as economic coordinator, worked in agriculture and later became the chief economist for the Maon regional settlements, a position he held for 24 years until his retirement, Yedioth Achronot noted. As a writer and composer, he published plays, essays and poetry collections reflecting his love for nature, agriculture and kibbutz life, Yedioth Achronot added. Cooper was abducted on October 7, 2023, and confirmed murdered in captivity by Israeli authorities in June 2024.
Sahar Baruch of Kibbutz Be’eri was murdered at just 25 years of age. Baruch, a science enthusiast who was captured alive, was later confirmed killed during a failed Israeli rescue attempt in January 2024, JFeed reported.
Baruch was at his mother’s home in Be’eri with his brother Idan when Hamas gunmen attacked on Oct. 7, 2023, Yedioth Achronot reported. Grenades were thrown into the house early in the assault, the report added. According to the report, Idan was wounded by shrapnel, and Sahar helped him escape the burning home before trying to care for him. Idan was later killed in Be’eri, Yedioth Achronot noted.
According to the report, Baruch was first listed as missing and later confirmed to have been kidnapped to Gaza. After 62 days in captivity—two weeks after his 25th birthday—he was murdered while in Hamas custody, Yedioth Achronot noted.
“The kibbutz embraces his parents, Tami and Roni, his brothers Guy and Niv, and all the family members who fought tirelessly to bring him home for burial,” Be’eri said. “In this painful and difficult hour, we hope the family can find some comfort in the closure of 755 days and nights of torment.”
Photo from TRT World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=vZeDlH_LNSo
