Body of Hostage Youssef Ziyadne Found in Gaza

Stand for Israel  |  January 8, 2025

We are saddened to report that the IDF just confirmed the body of 53-year-old hostage Youssef Ziyadne – who was kidnapped by Hamas along with three of his children – was found in Gaza. Two of his children were freed, but one remains in Gaza and the IDF is investigating what might have happened to him. The Jerusalem Post tells us more:   

Youssef, who lived in Rahat, was abducted alongside three of his children from Kibbutz Holit on October 7, 2023, when Hamas invaded southern Israel and murdered some 1200 people. They were members of Israel’s Bedouin community, and 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,” relative 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.”