Hostage forum: Youssef and Hamza Ziyadne ‘could have been saved’ through hostage deal

Following confirmation that Hamza Ziyadne’s body has been identified after it was recovered from Gaza earlier this week, the Hostages Families Forum says “he and his father Youssef could have been saved.”

“Hamza Ziyadne was a man of nature, he loved animals and was loved by his friends,” the forum says.

The 22-year-old father of two was abducted from Kibbutz Holit by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023 attacks, along with his father Youssef and siblings Bilal, 18, and Aisha, 17.

Bilal and Aisha were released on November 30, 2023, after more than 50 days in Hamas captivity.

“Four family members were kidnapped and only two of them returned alive,” the forum says. “Youssef and Hamza, who survived a period of hell in Hamas captivity could have been saved in a deal prior to now.”

It adds that the “lengthy identification process” to confirm Hamza’s death is “difficult proof of the urgent need to return the deceased for burial.”

The forum calls for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speed up the process of clinching a deal for the return of the hostages.

“We have a historic window of opportunity and we must not lose it. You have the mandate from the people — bring them home.”