A man thought to have been taken hostage by Hamas has been declared dead after his body was identified by the IDF.

Dolev Yehud’s body was identified in Israel, the military says.

Until now it was thought that the 35-year-old, from Kibbutz Nir Oz on the Gaza border, was among those taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7.

Dolev, who was a volunteer medic with Magen David Adom and United Hatzala, left his house on the morning of the October 7 attacks to help others.

It is now thought that he was killed in Israel while responding to the attacks.

The IDF said it has notified the family.

His body was identified after new tests confirmed that a previously unidentified body belonged to him.

Due to the horrific nature of the Hamas attacks many of the victims' bodies were burned or mutilated making identification very difficult.

Dolev’s sister, Arbel Yehud, 28, is still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza. She was taken along with her boyfriend, Ariel Cunio, from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Dolev’s wife gave birth to their fourth child while he was thought to have been held hostage.

The discovery of his body brings the number of hostages believed to have been taken on October 7 down from 252 to 251.