Israeli forces have recovered the body of Hamas hostage Youssef Alziadana from Gaza, but his 19-year-old son Hazma is feared dead. The military confirmed that Youssef was killed in captivity and his body was found alongside remains of terrorist bodies.
According to initial estimates, the bodies had been in the area for a prolonged period, with Hamza’s remains taken for examination at Israel’s Forensic Institute. Defense Minister Israel Katz announced ahead of the military’s statement that troops had located and recovered both brothers’ bodies.
The deaths bring the number of hostages killed in captivity to 30, while there are now 99 hostages (both dead and alive) in Gaza. Youssef was classified as a humanitarian case, while Hamza is not included in potential future hostage release deals.
Families of Muslim Hostages Held by Hamas expressed grief over the news, with one relative stating that they had “faith and hope” that both brothers would return home alive but were left devastated after the revelation.
Source: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-01-08/ty-article/bodies-of-two-israeli-hostages-found-in-gaza-their-family-says/00000194-469c-dff1-a7bc-dffd1fbc0000