Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, June 22, 2025
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, June 22, 2025
IDF chief speaks with parents of soldier Shay Levinson after his body recovered from Gaza
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir spoke this evening with the parents of slain hostage soldier Staff Sgt. Shay Levinson, whose body was recovered by the military overnight from the Gaza Strip, along with two other civilian hostages.
“I am sending you a strong hug,” Zamir says to Kochav and Shlomit Levinson, according to remarks provided by the military.
“Shay, may his memory be blessed, has returned for burial in Israel. We carried out a complex operation, following a period of intelligence gathering. We will do everything to bring all the hostages back. It is our duty,” Zamir adds.
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