Family of Yonatan Samarno, believed hostage in Gaza, informed that he was killed

The family of Yonatan Samarno, 21, who was believed held hostage in Gaza, have been informed that he was killed. His body is still being held by Hamas.

In a mourning notice, the family say they will hold a ceremony for him later in the day and begin sitting shiva, the weeklong mourning period.

Samarno, 21, from Tel Aviv, was at the Nova music festival with three friends when the October 7 Hamas assault started.

He informed his mother that they were heading home, but then contact with him was lost.

While the bodies of his friends were later found, there was no trace of Samarno. His relatives said that they had received information he had been shot, but his condition was not clear.

The family was later informed that he was most likely among those being held in Gaza.

In recent days the families of several people thought to be hostage in Gaza have been informed that their loved ones were dead.