Brother of el-Atrash says recovery of body ‘closes a circle’ for family

Relatives of hostages Noa Argamani and Mohammad Alatrash meet with Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the Foreign Ministry on March 19, 2024 (Noga Malsa/GPO)
Relatives of hostages Noa Argamani and Mohammad Alatrash meet with Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the Foreign Ministry on March 19, 2024 (Noga Malsa/GPO)

A brother of Muhammed el-Atrash says the return of his body from Gaza offers family members some comfort after two years of uncertainty.

“At least he should have a grave,” the brother, named as Nimr, tells the Ynet news site. “The circle is finally closed. The last two years were tough for us. For a time we did not know if he was alive or dead. Bringing him for burial closes the circle.”

El-Atrash,  a 39-year-old tracker in the Gaza Division’s Northern Brigade from Sa’wa, was killed on October 7 while battling Hamas terrorists in the area of Nahal Oz and his body taken captive to Gaza.

Nimr describes the father of 13 and oldest of 23 siblings as “courageous” and a leader of his family.

“He was responsible, a family man,” he says. “He was a leader, the whole family would go to him for advice as the big brother.”

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