Mourning the Loss, Praying for the Remaining Hostages

The discovery of the bodies of Youssef Ziyadne, 53, and his son Hamza, 22, has brought immense sorrow to Israel and the family of these two hostages who were taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Their remains were located in a tunnel in the Rafah area of southern Gaza during military operations, as confirmed by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

In a statement, Katz expressed his “deep condolences to the Ziyadne family upon the discovery of the bodies of Youssef and Hamza,” calling the rescue operation by IDF soldiers “heroic.” He reiterated the commitment to the “supreme moral obligation” of returning all hostages—whether alive or deceased—to Israeli soil.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared in the grief, stating, “We hoped and worked for the safe return of the four members of the family held hostage by Hamas. I send heartfelt condolences to the family. I thank the IDF and Israel Security Agency for their determined action for the return of our hostages. We will continue to make every effort to return all of our hostages, the living and the deceased.”

Youssef and Hamza were abducted along with Bilal, 18, and Aisha, 17, while they were working near the Gaza border. While Bilal and Aisha were released as part of a November 2023 ceasefire agreement, the discovery of Youssef and Hamza’s remains has left their family heartbroken. “We wanted them to return to our family alive, but unfortunately, they returned dead,” Youssef’s brother, Ali Ziyadne, told Israeli media.

The Oct. 7 massacre, perpetrated by Hamas, took the lives of 1,200 people, wounded thousands more, and led to the abduction of over 250 hostages. As of now, 98 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, with Israeli estimates also showing Hamas holding the bodies of 36 individuals.

The pain of the Ziyadne family is a stark reminder of the human cost of terror and the ongoing struggle to bring all hostages home. It’s a call to action for all of us to stand in prayer, advocacy, and support for their safe return.  Read the full story here.

Prayer for the Remaining Hostages

Heavenly Father,
We come before You with broken hearts, mourning the loss of Youssef and Hamza Ziyadne and all those whose lives have been tragically taken. Lord, we lift up the remaining hostages still held captive, praying for their protection, strength, and safe return.

You are the God of justice and mercy, and we ask for Your intervention to bring freedom to the oppressed. Be with the families waiting in anguish, and grant them Your peace that surpasses all understanding.

As we enter into an Esther 3-Day Fast, we commit ourselves to prayer and intercession, just as Esther did when her people were in peril. Lord, we fast and pray for the chains of captivity to be broken, for the hostages to come home alive, and for the light of Your truth to shine in the darkness.

We claim Your promise from Isaiah 58:6:
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"

Father, guide the hands of the leaders and negotiators working tirelessly for their release. Let Your justice prevail over the forces of evil, and let Your peace reign over the land of Israel.

In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen.