TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack that ignited the war in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces have returned the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages to their families following a special military operation in southern Gaza.

Judi Weinstein Haggai and Gad Haggai, who were in their 70s, were killed by members of a small Palestinian militant group, according to the Israeli security forces.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged only that Israel had been working with “clans.” But the opposition leader warned that the “weapons going into Gaza will eventually be pointed at Israeli soldiers and civilians.

Yasser Abu Shabab, who once looted humanitarian aid, now controls a small slice of territory in southern Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is arming clans in Gaza that he says are opposed to Hamas. His comments came after Israeli media reports quoted defence sources as saying Netanyahu had authorised giving weapons to one particular group in the south of Gaza.