The IDF has notified the family of Shlomo Mansour, 86, from Kibbutz Kissufim, that it has determined that he was abducted and murdered during the October 7th Massacre and that Hamas is holding his body captive.
The IDF stated that "IDF representatives this morning notified the family of Shlomo Mansour of blessed memory, who was brutally abducted to the Gaza Strip, that he was murdered by the Hamas terror organization on October 7th, 2023, and his body is being held in the Gaza Strip. The decision to determine his death was based on intelligence information that was collected over the past months and was confirmed by the Health Ministry's professional committee in conjunction with the Religious Affairs Ministry and the Israel Police."
His family stated: "Shlomo was the pillar of strength for our entire family. A man of high morals and values, a lover of humanity, who always helped others wholeheartedly. A man with a heart of gold, golden hands, and a smile worth gold."
They added: "We call upon decision-makers to make a brave and ethical decision to bring all hostages home immediately - the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial in their homeland.
"We deeply thank the soldiers who fight day and night, risking their lives. Our family wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded, and our hearts are with the bereaved families.
The family thanked the Hostages Families Forum for their embrace and support throughout the journey, and appealed to the people of Israel: "Continue to support and cry out the cry of the hostages until they are all returned home."
The kibbutz published a statement reading: "With a heavy heart, we, the members of the kibbutz, received an announcement this morning on the murder in captivity of our dear friend, Shomo Mansour, aged 86, who was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Kissufim during the Hamas terror attack on October 7th, 2023.
"This is one of the hardest days in our kibbutz's history. Shlomo, to us, was much more than a community man, he was a father, grandfather, a true friend, and Kissufim's beating heart. His smile, modesty, and human warmth were an inspiration to us all. Our hearts are broken by the fact that we were unable to bring him back alive. The entire community is grieving our loss and is unified in mourning and pain," the kibbutz noted.
The statement added: "We send our sincere and deep condolences to his wife, Mazal, and the entire Mansour family, who carried the pain of Shlomo's absence day and night. This loss is a wound that won't heal, but our community will support and care for the family all it can. In addition, we call on the Israeli government and world leaders to continue working to bring back all the hostages, living and deceased, and not to allow painful stories such as Shlomo's to repeat themselves."
Mansour, who survived the 1941 Farhud pogrom in Iraq, was among the founders of Kibbutz Kissufim, where he worked in the kibbutz chicken coop and eyewear factory. He was known as a dedicated worker with golden hands, and as a hobby, he learned carpentry and jewelry making. He was abducted from his safe room and was led handcuffed by the terrorists. Throughout his captivity, his family did not receive a sign of life from him.
Mazal was saved from Hamas's hands but saw her husband being dragged to Gaza by the terrorists and immediately managed to enter her neighbor's house. After several hours she was rescued by IDF forces.
Shlomo is survived by his wife, 5 siblings, 5 children, and 12 grandchildren.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara expressed deep condolences to the family of Shlomo Mansour, who was abducted to Gaza and murdered during the October 7th Massacre.
"Shlomo OBM was one of the builders of Israel and one of the founders of Kibbutz Kissufim. As a child, he survived the Farhud riots in Iraq, but was brutally murdered during Hamas's terror attack," Netanyahu stated.
The Prime Minister promised that Israel would continue to work with determination until all hostages returned - the living and the deceased as one. "We will not rest until we bring Shlomo to a Jewish grave," he stressed.