5th Indian-origin Israeli soldier confirmed killed by Hamas as envoy condoles death

Israel has confirmed the death of 19-year-old Indian-origin Israeli soldier Sergeant Oz Daniel, who was kidnapped by Hamas during October 7 attack and killed the same day. IDF said his body is still being held in Gaza. Israel envoy to India has condoled Daniel’s death.

Hitherto, Daniel was counted among those abducted.

In a post on X, Ambassador of Israel to India, Naor Gilon said: “Sad news. Sgt. Oz Daniel, who’s from Indian ancestry was kidnapped to Gaza on October 7, was declared dead.”

Sad news😞.

Sgt. Oz Daniel who’s from Indian ancestry and was kidnapped to Gaza on October 7, was declared dead.

ॐ शान्ति: 🙏 pic.twitter.com/yOg20BpwQ3

— Naor Gilon🎗️ (@NaorGilon) February 25, 2024

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Until now, Daniel was listed as one of the 253 hostages taken into captivity by Hamas on October 7.

As per The Times of Israel, the army’s chief rabbi declared Daniel’s death based on the findings and new intelligence information.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has now confirmed the deaths of 31 of those still held by Hamas — including Daniel — citing new intelligence and findings obtained by troops operating in Gaza.

One more person is listed as missing since October 7, and her fate is still unknown, though her family believes she was killed.

At least four Indian-origin Israeli soldiers are known to have been killed since October 7. In December last year, 34-year-old Indian-origin Israeli soldier Master Sgt. (res.) Gil Daniels from Ashdod was killed during fighting in Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

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Who is Indian-origin soldier killed by Hamas?

Sergeant Oz Daniel, who’s from Indian ancestry, served in the 7th Armored Brigade’s 77th Battalion.

His body was taken from the Gaza border following a battle with terrorists during Hamas’ October 7 attack.

Daniel was a guitar player who “believed in the power of music to change the world,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.

Religious authorities said, while Daniel’s body remains in Gaza, his family can observe ‘shiva’, the traditional Jewish week-long mourning.

A funeral was scheduled to be held Monday around 2 pm (local time) at the military cemetery in his hometown of Kfar Saba.

It is believed that 130 hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7 remain in Gaza — not all of them alive.

Daniel is not the only soldier whose body is being held by Hamas. The Palestinian terrorist organisation has been holding the bodies of fallen IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin since 2014.

With inputs from agencies