From the Liveblog of
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Netanyahu talks to parents of dead hostage ahead of expected release
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the parents of Col. Asaf Hamami, whose body is being held in Gaza, says the Prime Minister’s Office.
According to the PMO, Clara and Ilan Hamami expressed their support for Netanyahu for bringing about a hostage deal and standing up to pressures throughout the war.
Hamami, the commander of the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade, was killed fighting Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Nirim on the morning of October 7, 2023, during the Palestinian terror group’s onslaught in southern Israel.
After eight weeks, the IDF confirmed his death in December 2023, officially listing his status as a “fallen IDF soldier held captive by a terror group” and his date of death as October 7.
Hamami’s death was declared by the chief rabbi, based on findings obtained by the military in the Gaza Strip. The findings allowed Hamami to have a funeral according to halacha, or Jewish law, but his body remains in Gaza.
Hamami is survived by his wife, Saphir, their three children, and his parents.
The Times of Israel Community.