Eliyahu Margalit
Gender: Male
Age when taken: 75
Citizenship: Israel
Occupation: Cattle Farmer
Hostage status: Confirmed deceased and returned to Israel on October 18th, 2025, during the Israel-Hamas ceasefire
More about Eliyahu:
Most commonly known by the nickname ‘Churchill’
Daughter Nili Margalit, a nurse, was taken hostage and released.
Has a wife, Daphna, 3 children, Noa, Danny and Nili and 3 grandchildren
Had lived on Kibbutz Nir Oz since 1969
Churchill always wore work clothes and boots, milked cows, and tended to a sick calf seven days a week
Had a deep love for horses, dogs, cattle, and sheep
Had 4 mares (female horses): Ginger, Haika, Diana, and Havitush
Related hostage: Nili Margalit, daughter (Redeemed/Alive)
Primary Sources:
Times of Israel, Hamas returns body of Kibbutz Nir Oz's Eliyahu Margalit, Oct 18, 2025
Times of Israel, Eliyahu Margalit, 75: Cattle breeder, horse lover known as 'Churchill', Dec 24, 2023
Ynet, What compelled you to feed the horse on that cursed Saturday?, Dec 14, 2023
Ha’aretz (unlocked), Six Israeli Hostages Held by Hamas Confirmed Killed in Captivity, Dec 01, 2023
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Swords of Iron: Civilian Casualties, Mar 28, 2024
Secondary Sources:
Date Last Updated: October 18th, 2025