Lior Rudaeff’s Body Returned to Israel After 763 Days in Gaza

The body of Staff Sergeant (Res.) Lior Rudaeff, who was abducted and killed during the October 7 massacre, was returned to Israel on Friday night and formally identified Saturday morning, the Prime Minister’s Office said. Rudaeff, 61, fell in combat while defending his home in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak and was taken into Gaza by Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists.

Officials confirmed that the identification process was completed by the National Center of Forensic Medicine in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Military Rabbinate. “The Government of Israel shares the deep sorrow of the Rudaeff family and of all the families of the fallen hostages,” the Prime Minister’s Office said. “The government and all state agencies remain determined and committed to bringing all our fallen hostages home for proper burial in their land. Hamas must fulfill its obligations to the mediators and return them as part of the agreement. We will not compromise and will spare no effort until every hostage, living and fallen, returns home. May his memory be blessed.”

Rudaeff was born in Argentina and immigrated to Israel at age 7 with his family, settling in Nir Yitzhak, where he built his home and raised four children. He was known in the community for his kindness, dedication, and decades of volunteer service as an ambulance driver in the Eshkol Regional Council. He was also a member of the kibbutz’s standby squad, serving as deputy security coordinator.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said Rudaeff “fell in the defense of Nir Yitzhak on the morning of October 7, 2023, and his body was kidnapped by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. His death was determined on May 7, 2024.”

His daughter, Yam Katz, wrote on Instagram: “After 763 nightmarish days, our Lior is home, to be buried in the soil he went out to protect on that black morning that changed our lives forever. Thank you to all the good people who accompanied us in our uncompromising and human struggle to bring Lior home, and all the other hostages. The struggle is not over – Dror, Meni, Ran, Hadar and Sontisk are still there.”

The Nir Yitzhak community said Rudaeff “was a man of the land, family, and community – a volunteer, neighbor, and true friend who was always there for everyone. Because of his bravery, an even greater disaster was prevented, but he paid with his life.”

Magen David Adom Director General Eli Bin, who worked with Rudaeff, said, “Lior was a man of giving, dedication, and love of people. For 25 years, he was known as the kibbutz’s legendary ambulance driver who saved many lives. On October 7 he left his home to fight terrorists and protected the residents with his body. He was always there, offering help with a smile and joy of life.”

During his IDF service, Rudaeff served in an anti-aircraft unit and fought in the First Lebanon War. He met his wife Yaffa soon after returning home, and together they raised four children:  Noam, Nadav, Bar, and Ben, and three grandchildren. Ben survived the Nova festival massacre.

Rudaeff’s body was held in Gaza for more than two years before being returned as part of the recent deal. He will be laid to rest in Israel.