Itzik Gelernter, arrived at rave hours before Hamas attack that killed him on Oct. 7

Gelernter’s phone was located in Gaza and he was presumed a hostage until his body was announced recovered on May 17, 2024

By ToI Staff 20 November 2023, 8:53 pmUpdated: 17 May 2024, 7:25 pm Edit

Itzik Gelernter, pictured here with his daughter, was murdered by Hamas terrorists near the Supernova desert rave on October 7, 2023 and his body was recovered from Gaza by the IDF and returned to Israel on May 17, 2024. (Courtesy)

On May 17, 2024, the IDF revealed that troops recovered the body of Itzik Gelernter from the Gaza Strip and brought him back to Israel for burial. This is what we know of the events that led to his murder by Hamas:

The body of Itzik Gelernter, 58, was taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7 at the Supernova desert rave, where some 360 people were killed and at least 40 abducted.

Gelernter wasn’t in touch with his daughter, Yarden Pivko, that morning, although she does know he reached the party just a couple of hours before the attack began around 6:30 a.m.

“We thought he was sleeping in the basement because of the rockets, and there’s no reception down there,” she told several media outlets.

They later found out that he went to the party with a couple of friends, who were killed.

A few days later, the family was notified by the IDF that Gelernter’s phone was located in Gaza, leading the IDF to believe he was taken hostage.

“Dad loves life,” said Pivko. “I’m trying to think good thoughts, I have a powerful, smart, resourceful father.”