A father and son thought to still be alive after they were taken hostage by Hamas during the terror group’s 2023 attack on Israel were found dead in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military told their loved ones Wednesday.
The abductees — Youssef Zaydani , 53, and his son Hamza Zaydani, 22 — had been thought to be alive after their abduction, which happened Oct. 7 in Kibbutz Holit.
But their corpses were discovered in an underground tunnel near the southern Gaza city of Rafah, crushing any hopes of their safe return.
The Israeli military said Wednesday that troops have recovered the body of a hostage held in Gaza and were examining whether another body recovered was also that of a captive. AFP via Getty Images
Youssef was married with two wives and 19 children while Hamza was a married father of two, according to the Times of Israel. They lived in the Ziyadne neighborhood of Rahat, named for their large family.
Two of Zaydani’s other children had also been kidnapped, but Hamas released them in November 2023 after about 50 days in captivity.
The military said the body of Yosef Al Zaydani was brought to Israel on Tuesday after being discovered in an underground tunnel near the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Hostages and Missing Families Forum
It said troops uncovered information about Al Zaydani’s son Hamzah that “raised serious concerns for his life.” Hostages and Missing Families ForumThe family was among 250 hostages snatched by the militant group during its cross-border raid, which also left more than 1,200 dead.
More than a year later, Israel believes a third of the remaining 100 hostages have died.
Word of the recovery comes as Israel and Hamas are considering a cease-fire deal that would free the hostages and halt the fighting in Gaza.
Ali Alzayadni (C), the brother of hostage Yosef Al Zayadni and uncle of Hamzah Alzayadni, holds posters of his relatives during a rally to call for the release of Israelis held hostage in Caesarea, north of Tel Aviv, on January 27, 2024. AFP via Getty ImagesYosef Al Zaydani’s name had been on a list of 34 hostages shared by Hamas that the group said were slated for release.
Many families of hostages say the continuation of the war in Gaza puts the lives of the remaining hostages at risk.
They have demanded throughout the conflict that Israel reach a deal with Hamas to free their loved ones.
