From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Bodies of father and son hostages Youssef and Hamza Ziyadne found in Gaza, says family
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Family members of hostages Youssef Ziyadne, 53, and his son Hamza Ziyadne, 22, say the military has informed them that their bodies have been located in the Gaza Strip.
The IDF has not yet commented.
Youssef was abducted by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023 onslaught, along with three of his children, Hamza, Bilal Ziyadne, 18, and Aisha Ziyadne, 17, while working in Kibbutz Holit.
Bilal and Aisha were released on November 30, 2023, after more than 50 days in Hamas captivity.
Until now, Youssef and Hamza were presumed alive.
Youssef, 53, married with two wives and 19 children, was working in the kibbutz cowshed. Hamza, 22, married and father of two, and Bilal, 18, were working with their father, while their sister Aisha had joined them for the morning.
The family lives in Rahat, in the Ziyadne neighborhood, named for their extensive family clan.
The Times of Israel Community.