Israeli security forces have discovered the body of hostage Youssef al-Ziyadne, 53, in the Gaza Strip, his family was told on Wednesday.
The IDF confirmed that the remains of Ziyadne were found in a tunnel in Rafah, adding that there were also other “findings relating to Youssef’s son (Hamza).”
IDF spokesperson Lt.-Col. Nadav Shoshani said Youssef’s death did not appear to have been recent.
Ziyadne’s body was reportedly discovered alongside the bodies of two terrorists who were guarding him, Walla reported. The operation also reportedly led to evidence that Hamza had died, the site reported.
Ziyadne, who lived in the Bedouin town of Rahat in the Negev, was abducted alongside three of his children from Kibbutz Holit on October 7, 2023, when Hamas invaded southern Israel and murdered some 1,200 people. Youssef had worked on the Kibbutz for 19 years before his abduction, N12 reported.
“Our hearts ache. We wanted them to return to the bosom of the family alive – but unfortunately, [he] returned dead,” Ziyadne’s brother, Ali Ziyadne, said, according to Ynet. “Aisha and her brother Bilal were waiting to hug [him]. This is a difficult and shocking disaster.”
“Every day, the boys and I checked to see if there was anything new,” Ali shared on Wednesday. “We thought they would be released in the new deal because we saw reports that they were among those released. We had hope that they were still alive.
“The day after, when we received the message that they had been found, we couldn’t digest it and said, ‘Check, maybe you’re wrong, maybe they’re alive, don’t rush.’ In the end, all we had to do was accept the hard news that tore our hearts.”
Abducted on October 7
Ziyadne was abducted alongside Hamza, Aisha, and Bilal. Bilal and Aisha were both released as part of the November deal. He leaves behind 18 children, two wives, and a number of grandchildren, N12 reported.
His body is being transferred for medical examination to the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Walla reported.
Ziyadne’s name was included in a leaked list published by Al Sharq, which detailed the hostages set to be released during the first phase of the ceasefire, Walla reported.
Condolences
President Isaac Herzog expressed his grief at Youssef’s death, writing, “Our hearts ache for the immense tragedy of the Ziyadne family, who were informed of the rescue of the body of the late Youssef from Hamas captivity by security forces and are deeply concerned for the fate of Hamza... We must continue to do everything for the urgent return of our 99 sisters and brothers – the living to their families and the fallen to the grave of Israel.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed “deep sorrow” at the news, adding on behalf of himself and his wife, “We hoped and worked for the safe return of the four members of the family from Hamas captivity. We returned the children, Bilal and Aisha, on November 23, and we wanted to return Youssef and Hamza in the same way.”
“We will continue to make every effort to bring all of our hostages home – both the living and the dead,” Netanyahu promised.
Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed his condolences to the family on X/Twitter.
“During my tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs, I accompanied the brave family through difficult moments, and I became particularly close to Ali, Youssef’s brother and Hamza’s uncle, who accompanied me on many of my trips and political meetings and told the story of Youssef and Hamza to many leaders,” Katz wrote.
“Even now, in these moments, we continue to do everything to fulfill our supreme moral obligation – the return of all the abductees, living and dead, to the Land of Israel.” The Hostages Families Forum announced it shared the family’s grief and stressed the need for a hostage deal.
“The emerging agreement comes far too late for Youssef, who was taken alive and should have returned the same way. Every day in captivity poses an immediate mortal danger to the hostages who have managed to survive for 15 months and threatens the possibility of returning the deceased for burial,” the forum shared.
“The time and conditions are ripe for the return of all hostages – the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for proper burial. We anxiously await additional information regarding Hamza’s fate.”
The mayor of Rahat declared a day of mourning to be held in the city in Ziyadne’s memory.
YONAH JEREMY BOB contributed to this report.