Israeli engineering student, held hostage since October 7, killed in Gaza: report

A 25-year-old Israeli died in Gaza after being held hostage for nearly two months by Hamas, according to reports. 

The hostage was engineering student Sahar Baruch and his death was confirmed Saturday, according to the New York Post. He was one of the hostages that was taken after the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say that Baruch was murdered by Hamas, while Hamas claims that he was killed in an IDF operation. 

“It is with great sadness and a broken heart that we announce the murder of Sahar Baruch (25), who was kidnapped from his home by Hamas terrorists to Gaza on the Black Sabbath and murdered there,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. 

Baruch's brother was killed in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. 

His family is demanding the return of Baruch's remains in any future hostage release deal, according to The Jerusalem Post.