The tunnel in southern Gaza’s Rafah from which the body of hostage Youssef Ziyadne, 53, was recovered, is located in an area where the military had operated before.
The IDF returned to the area following new intelligence to recover the body.
The bodies of at least two Hamas operatives were located alongside Ziyadne’s remains in the tunnel, and they are believed by the IDF to have been guarding him.
Also inside the tunnel, the IDF recovered findings that raise concerns for the life of Youssef’s son, Hamza — who was also taken hostage — as well as other intelligence materials.
The cause of Youssef’s death is still under investigation by the IDF, though according to initial assessments, it did not occur recently.
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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
