The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced that 18-year-old Staff Sergeant Tamir Nimrodi, who was abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, was likely killed two days later during an Israeli airstrike in Gaza that targeted senior Hamas commander Ahmed Ghandour.
Nimrodi was taken from the Gaza District Coordination and Liaison (DCL) base, along with Sergeant Ron Sherman, Corporal Nik Beizer, and Elia Toledano. According to IDF findings, all four captives were probably killed on October 9 while still in Hamas custody. The conclusion is based on intelligence data, forensic analysis, pathology results, and other operational evidence, though the army said absolute certainty remains impossible.
Until recently, Nimrodi was the only hostage not officially confirmed dead. His identification at the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine ended months of uncertainty for his family, who had continued to hope for his safe return. Hamas had previously claimed he died in an Israeli strike, but without verification.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum described the development as a deeply painful moment, coinciding with the Hebrew calendar date of his death. Nimrodi’s parents, Herut and Alon, and siblings Mika and Amit, received the confirmation hours after his mother expressed hope that he might still be alive.
Nimrodi’s fellow soldiers remembered him as kind-hearted and selfless. A note found in his uniform read: “To help as many people as possible, to create a close social circle, not to hurt anyone.” He had served for ten months, recently completed interviews for officer training, and volunteered to remain on base during the October 7 attack so that others could spend the holiday with their families.
“Tamir found purpose in service,” the forum said. “He chose compassion over comfort — even until the end.”
