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...