Jewish Federations of North America mourn the heartbreaking return of the body of Dror Or, murdered at age 48 during the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Be’eri and posthumously taken into Gaza by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. His remains were transferred to Israel last night and identified by Israeli forensic experts in the early hours of this morning.

 

Dror’s wife, Yonat, was also murdered on October 7. They leave behind three children—two of whom, Alma and Noam, were kidnapped to Gaza and freed in November 2023. The return of their father’s body, two years to the day after their own release, underscores the depth of their family’s tragedy and the unbearable toll of this war on innocent civilians.

 

We also remember Meny Godard, 73, of Kibbutz Be’eri, whose body was recently returned from Gaza. Meny was murdered on October 7 alongside his wife Ayelet, 63, by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists, leaving behind four children, seven grandchildren, and a large extended family grieving their loss.

 

As we mourn with the Or and Godard families, we continue to demand the return of all hostages—living and deceased. Two murdered hostages remain in Gaza: Sudthisak Rinthalak, 43, of Thailand, and Ran Gvili, 24, killed at Kibbutz Alumim. We will not rest until every one of them is brought home.

 

Jewish Federations stand with the families in their grief, strength, and unyielding resolve. We honor Dror’s and Meny’s memories, we hold their families close in our hearts, and we reaffirm our unwavering commitment: no effort will be spared until all hostages are returned.