In a somber ceremony on Wednesday, Israel laid to rest Guy Iluz, a 26-year-old hostage whose remains were returned from Gaza as part of a US-backed ceasefire agreement. The funeral procession began in Rishon Lezion and concluded in Raanana, where Iluz had resided before being abducted during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. The attack, which targeted the Nova music festival in southern Israel, resulted in the deaths of at least 370 people and the abduction of 251 others, both living and deceased. Iluz, a guitarist and sound engineer, was among those taken captive. Reports indicate he attempted to flee the festival site and later hid in a tree, where he made his final contact with his parents before being captured. He died in captivity due to untreated injuries sustained during his abduction. The ceasefire deal, which took effect last Friday, mandated the release of all hostages within 72 hours. In exchange, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees. The return of Iluz’s body, along with three others on Monday and four more on Tuesday, marked a bittersweet moment for mourners. Amira, a woman in her sixties, expressed her grief, stating, ‘I’m sorry, sorry, sorry I could not save you!’ She emphasized the importance of having a grave for the family to mourn. Viki Lavi, another attendee, noted the duality of emotions, saying, ‘This is our life, crying and being happy.’ The ceremony underscored the ongoing trauma and resilience of those affected by the conflict.