IDF recovers bodies of Israeli hostages Youssef and Hamza Ziyadne from southern Gaza

Israel Defense Forces and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday evening announced that the bodies of Youssef and Hamza Ziyadne, who were kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, were found in the southern Gaza Strip.

Notably, the army’s statement only confirmed the death of Youssef, while adding there were “serious concerns” for the life of his son Hamza (23). Katz’s statement explicitly said that Hamza had also been found dead.

According to the IDF, its troops, together with the Shin Bet, “located and recovered the body of the hostage Youssef Ziyadne from an underground tunnel in the area of Rafah in Gaza and returned his body to Israel.”

“In addition, as part of the operation, findings were located related to Youssef's son, Hamza Ziyadne, who was also abducted on October 7, which raise serious concerns for his life,” the military added.

The Ziyadne family is a member of the Israeli Bedouin community and residents of the town of Rahat, near Beersheva. Youssef was 53 years old, the father of 19 children, and was abducted from Kibbutz Holit while working on a farm, together with his children Hamza, Bilal and Aisha.

Bilal and Aisha were returned to Israel during the first ceasefire deal with Hamas at the end of November 2023.

Youssef’s brother Ali told Israeli media outlets, “We were informed that the bodies of Youssef and his son Hamza were found. Our hearts ache. We wanted them [returned] to the family alive – but unfortunately, they returned dead.”

“Aisha and her brother Bilal were waiting to hug them. This is a terrible and shocking disaster.”

According to Army Radio, Youssef’s body was discovered during a special operation conducted by the IDF and Shin Bet forces in Rafah, after receiving intelligence that led them to a hidden tunnel in an area where Israeli troops had searched before.

Next to Youssef’s body, the soldiers found the bodies of two or three terrorists, who had apparently held them captive.

The tunnel is not part of the underground network where fellow Israeli Bedouin hostage Farhan al-Qadi was rescued, and the bodies of six other hostages were found last year.

The report provided no additional information about the cause of death of the hostages or the terrorists, noting that the IDF is not sure how Youssef died, but estimates it was some time ago.

Israeli soldiers continued to search the area where the bodies were found.

Katz sent his condolences to the family, noting that during his tenure as foreign minister, he had “accompanied the brave family during difficult moments.”

“I became especially attached 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,” he added.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog also expressed their sorrow and condolences to the family.

“We hoped and worked for the safe return of the four family members from Hamas captivity,” said Netanyahu. “We returned the children Bilal and Aisha on November 23, and we wanted to return Yosef and Hamza as well. I send my heartfelt condolences to the family.”

“They have endured 460 days of worry, hope, and endless longing, during which Youssef’s children, Aisha and Bilal, were released in a hostage exchange,” Herzog stated.

“Time is running out. Youssef was abducted alive! Our hostages are in immediate life-threatening danger. We must continue to do everything possible to urgently return 99 of our brothers and sisters – the living to their families and the fallen and murdered to be laid to rest in dignity."