In a funeral filled with grief and remembrance, Michel Illouz delivered a stirring eulogy for his son Guy, whose optimism and gentle soul were extinguished in Hamas captivity.

Captain Daniel Perez, 22, who fell fighting Hamas terrorists on October 7, will be laid to rest at Mount Herzl after his body was returned this week as part of the hostage deal.

<p>US Envoy for Peace Missions Steve Witkoff denied reports that he is stepping down after securing a deal between Israel and Hamas: "This story is 100% Fake News and should be immediately retracted. I often wonder where these so-called 'reporters' come up with such laughable nonsense. I am more engaged on the peace process than ever, and I am continuing to proudly serve the President of the United States!"</p>

Three days after being released from Hamas captivity, Matan Angrest arrived to pay respects to his commander, Captain Daniel Perez, whose body was returned on the same day that he was.

Hamas claims it no longer holds additional deceased hostages as the Red Cross prepares to receive several bodies, while President Trump warns fighting may resume if the deal is breached.

<p>The IDF and Shin Bet announced that, according to information provided by the Red Cross, two coffins of deceased hostages have been transferred into their custody and are on their way to Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.</p>

<p>At a meeting today (Wednesday) with the Chief of Staff and senior IDF commanders on preparations in Gaza, the defense minister ordered the military to prepare a comprehensive plan to decisively defeat Hamas in Gaza if the organization refuses to implement President Trump’s plan and fighting must resume.</p><p>From Katz’s office: under the Trump plan, Hamas must return all hostages - including the remains in its possession - and disarm. Israel, together with an international force led by the US, will work to destroy all tunnels and terror infrastructure in Gaza so the Strip is demilitarized and no longer poses a threat to Israel."</p><p>"If Hamas refuses the agreement, Israel - in coordination with the US - will return to combat and act to achieve the total defeat of Hamas, change the reality in Gaza, and accomplish all war objectives."</p>

<p>US President Donald Trump mentioned the efforts to return the deceased hostages to Israel, claiming that Hamas is looking for them.</p><p>According to the President, "it's a gusome process, I almost hate to talk about it. They're digging, they're actually digging. There are areas where they're digging and their finding a lot of bodies. Then they have to separate the bodies, and some of those bodies have been in there a long time. Some of them are under rubble, and they have to remove the rubble. There are graves, but some died in tunnels that are way down under the earth. The tunnels are three feet high; they lived like this for a long time. It's a horrible atrocity.</p>