Families of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza are retreiving sperm from their bodies

January 19, 2026

Close up image of barbed wire

(NPR) – About a quarter of the Israeli soldiers killed in the war in Gaza had their sperm retrieved after death.

Hundreds of young Israeli soldiers were killed in the Gaza war these last few years. Their families were asked to make a quick and unusual decision. Should they retrieve their sons’ sperm from their bodies for future offspring? Many have said yes. NPR’s Daniel Estrin has this report from Israel. (Read More)