Israeli hostage’s death before Gaza kidnapping confirmed: campaign group

News of his death came as mediators from Qatar, the United States and Egypt met in Cairo with Hamas and Israeli delegations as part of the latest efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

Rudaeff, 61, was living in Nir Yitzhak, a kibbutz community in southern Israel, when Hamas militants launched their unprecedented attack on October 7.

He was a volunteer ambulance driver for 40 years, a father of four and grandfather of two, and held dual Israeli-Argentine citizenship, the family group said.

During the attack, militants kidnapped around 250 people, of whom Israel estimates 128 are still being held in Gaza, including 36 who officials say are dead.

“The Israeli government has a deep moral obligation to exhaust all options in the current negotiations to bring Lior home,” the forum said.

“The government must also ensure the rapid return of all living hostages so that they can begin the long road to healing and recovery.”

Israeli protesters gathered in several cities across the country on Tuesday evening to demand a deal that would ensure the release of the hostages.

Protesters blocked a main street in Tel Aviv, an AFP correspondent said.

The October 7 Hamas attack killed more than 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive against the group in Gaza has killed at least 34,789 people, mostly women and children, according to the health ministry of the Hamas-controlled territory.

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