Jerusalem, 21 October, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israel on Tuesday morning confirmed the identification of Tal Haimi, 41, whose body was returned from Gaza the previous night, bringing a measure of closure to a family and community that had waited more than two years for his return.
“The Nir Yitzhak community and the families of the abductees and returnees are embracing the Haimi family, whose beloved Tal, z”l, was returned to Israel tonight for a proper burial,” said the Families Headquarters for the Return of the Abductees in a statement. “Alongside the sadness and the understanding that the heart will never be whole, the return of Tal is a kind of balm for a family that has lived in uncertainty and tormenting doubt for over two years. We will not rest or be silent until the last of the abductees is returned.”
Haimi, the chief of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak’s civilian defense squad, was killed defending his home on October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists stormed the community. He and fellow responders held their ground at the kibbutz gate until he was fatally shot and his body taken to Gaza.
In December 2023, based on intelligence, his family was told he had been killed that day. They held a funeral, but without his remains. On Monday night, Hamas transferred the remains to Israel through the Red Cross, claiming they had been located a day earlier. Haimi’s body had been held by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, but Hamas later said it had taken possession of it.
Israel’s National Center for Forensic Medicine quickly confirmed it was Haimi and notified the family.
Recognizing his heroism in battle, the Israel Defense Forces announced that Haimi had been posthumously promoted to sergeant major in the reserves.
Haimi was a third-generation member of Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, a mechanical engineer, and a father of four. His youngest son, Lotan, was born seven months after the attack.
“Tal loved taking the family on nature trips and camping in the field,” the kibbutz said. “He was an avid fan of tools and always knew how to find a solution to any problem that arose.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expressed condolences to the family and to all those still waiting for news of loved ones, saying Israel “shares in the profound grief of the Haimi family and of all the families of the fallen hostages.” It called on Hamas to uphold its commitments to mediators and return all remaining bodies.
“We will not compromise on this,” Netanyahu’s office said, “and will spare no effort until we bring back all of the fallen hostages—every single one of them.”
Haimi is survived by his wife, Ela, and their four children.
Around 1,200 people were killed and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken captive by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. The bodies of 15 more hostages remain in Gaza.
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