Slain hostage Idan Shtivi is laid to rest in central Israel after his body was retrieved from the Gaza Strip last week, almost 23 months after he was killed.
“Idan had a pure heart, he always saw others and cared for the weaker elements of society,” says his mother, Danit, at his funeral. “He was full of generosity, so sensitive and loving. He was taken from the world at his peak. Idani, you are a child of God… I’m sorry I couldn’t watch over you and protect you.”
He is buried in Kfar Ma’as after a funeral procession through central Israel that was lined by Israelis waving flags and signs reading “Sorry.”
Idan was murdered at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and his body kidnapped to Gaza. It was retrieved by IDF troops last week along with the body of Ilan Weiss, who is also slated to be buried today, in Kibbutz Be’eri.
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From the Liveblog of
Monday, September 1, 2025
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