Israeli military officials stated on Wednesday (January 8) that they found the body of at least one hostage in Gaza and are now confirming if another hostage has died.
In a operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, the Israeli military discovered the body of 53-year-old hostage Yosef AlZayadni in an underground tunnel. At the same time, evidence found there has raised “serious concerns” about the life of AlZayadni’s son, Hamzah, who was also captured as a hostage by Hamas in an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Evidence suggests that he may have died during his captivity.
While the military is still confirming Hamzah’s death, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated earlier on Wednesday that the bodies of both AlZayadni father and son have been found. Family members have also confirmed that the bodies of the father and son have been located.
Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire agreement aimed at releasing Gaza hostages and ending the conflict. Israel believes that at least one third of the remaining 100 hostages have died. However, before the military announced the news on Wednesday, it was widely believed that the AlZayadni father and son were still alive. The death of AlZayadni could increase pressure on Israel to push forward with the agreement.
Earlier this week, a Hamas official disclosed a list containing 34 hostages, including the name of Yosef AlZayadni, to the Associated Press. The militant at the time stated that those listed were prepared to be released.
In the October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, a total of about 250 hostages were captured. The AlZayadni family had four members captured, including Yosef AlZayadni, his son Hamzah, and his two other teenage children, Bilal and Aisha.
Bilal and Aisha were released in November 2023 during a temporary ceasefire with Hamas.
(Reference: Reports from The Jerusalem Post and the Associated Press.)