The body of soldier Shay Levinson was recovered by the IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), the military announced on Sunday.
Levinson's body was recovered along with two others, Yonatan Samerano and Ofra Keidar, who were also confirmed dead by the military and held in Hamas captivity since the October 7 massacre.
Levinson was a tank commander in the 77th "Oz" Battalion in the 7th Armored Brigade. He was killed on October 7, 2023, but his death was only determined in January 2024.
According to reports, Levinson was in a tank that was caught by surprise when Hamas terrorists crossed the border in the early morning of October 7. His tank managed to kill around 15 terrorists with shells before being overwhelmed.
Levinson was a resident of Givat Avni in the Lower Galilee and was an outstanding player on the Eilabun volleyball team, the Hostage Family Forum said.
Levinson was 'a man of peace'
The Forum added that Levison gave up the opportunity to receive "active athlete" status and chose instead to serve in a meaningful combat role in the IDF.
"Shai was a quiet and exceptional young man—ambitious and driven—who pushed himself to excel in sports and in every field that interested him," the Forum continued.
"He was a man of peace, who believed in coexistence and shared living as a way of life," it added