Father of deceased hostage Joshua Loitu Mollel offers thanks to hostages’ families, Israelis

Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

Loitu Sinduani Mollel, father of Tanzanian national Joshua Loitu Mollel, whose body was returned by Hamas to Israel on Wednesday night, sends an audio message of thanks to the Hostages Forum.

Sinduani Mollel says he is still waiting to receive his son’s body and bury him at home in Tanzania.

“I really appreciate what the hostages’ families and the Israeli nation did to spread the information about my son Joshua, and I’m very happy for his body to be found,” he says.

Mollel, 21, an agricultural intern at Kibbutz Nahal Oz near the border with Gaza, was seized alive, then murdered by Hamas terrorists on the morning of October 7, 2023, and his body was taken to Gaza.

He is survived by his parents and four siblings.

“Please pass my deep thanks,” says Sinduani Mollel. “I have nothing to give in return but that God should bless them.”

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