Bodies of hostages Youssef and Hamza Ziyadne found in Gaza

The pair were abducted alongside Aisha and Bilal, the brother and sister of Hamza. Bilal and Aisha were both released as part of the November deal. 

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF JANUARY 8, 2025 17:29 Updated: JANUARY 8, 2025 17:42

Youssef Hamis Ziyadne and Hamza Ziyadne (photo credit: screenshot)

The bodies of father and son hostages Yousel Al-Zayadni and Hamza Al-Zayadni were discovered in the Gaza Strip, the family of the abductees were told on Wednesday. 

The pair were abducted alongside two other relatives. They are members of Israel's Bedouin community.

"We were informed that the bodies of Yousef and his son Hamza were found. Our hearts ache. We wanted them to return to the bosom of the family alive - but unfortunately they returned dead," relative Ali Ziyadne said, according to Ynet. "Aisha and her brother Bilal were waiting to hug them. This is a difficult and shocking disaster."

"Every day, the boys and I checked to see if there was anything new," Ali shared today. "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."

Visitors at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv. September 25, 2024. (credit: MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90)

The pair were taken by Hamas from Kibbutz Holit on October 7, 2023, when Hamas invaded southern Israel and murdered some 1200 people.

The pair were abducted alongside Aisha and Bilal, the brother and sister of Hamza. Bilal and Aisha were both released as part of the November deal. 

Yosel leaves behind 18 children, according to Ynet.

The bodies of the pair and being transferred for medical examination to the  Institute of Forensic Medicine, Walla reported.