Several thousand people attended Thursday the funeral in Rahat of Youssef Ziyadne, whose body was found in Gaza fifteen months after Palestinian Hamas terrorists kidnapped him and his son.
The body of Youssef, 53, was found Tuesday evening in a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip, along with items linked to his son Hamza Ziyadne, 22, who was taken hostage alongside him during the pogrom perpetrated by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas on October 7, 2023 in southern Israel.
No government officials attended the funeral.
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Following reports that ministers were absent, the prime minister’s office issued a statement saying two representatives from its hostage department were present.
Family members of hostages killed in captivity in Gaza gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square to mourn the loss of their companion in misfortune and called on the government to sign the “truce” agreement. against release of hostages” currently under negotiation.
“We are members of a community of loss and mourning,” said Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was brutally executed by his captors along with five other hostages at the end of the month August, while they were detained by Hamas.
Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin speaking at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on January 9, 2025. (Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing)
“We do not want other people to join our community of agony and pain and yet, just yesterday, the Ziyadne family joined us. We implore all world leaders to reach a deal and bring the remaining 99 hostages home. »
Rachel ended her speech by asking the Israeli leaders the first question asked by God in the Bible, in Genesis, to Adam: “Where are you? »
“Take them home now.” »
The other bereaved hostage families echoed him.
Grieving family members of hostages speaking at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on January 9, 2025. (Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing)
“These families, these brothers and sisters, these entire families, were destroyed,” said Elhanan Danino, whose son Ori Danino was one of five hostages murdered alongside Hersh.
-Opening the lapel of his jacket to reveal a photo of his son, Elhanan appealed to government leaders: “Who are you waiting for? Please, those sitting around the Prime Minister’s table, wake up. You left them behind, now bring them back. »
Alon Gat, the brother of Carmel Gat, another hostage killed alongside Hersh in a Gaza tunnel, spoke about his own experience on October 7. His mother, Kinneret Gat, was killed in their home on Kibbutz Beeri, while he, his wife Yarden Roman-Gat and their three-year-old daughter Geffen were taken hostage, along with Carmel.
Alon and Geffen managed to escape and reach safety the next day. Yarden was released during the November 2023 ceasefire, but Carmel never returned.
Elhanan Danino, father of murdered hostage Ori Danino, speaking at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, January 9, 2025. (Forum of Families of Hostages and Disappeared)
“You can’t imagine what it’s like to tell a three-year-old that his aunt, who was supposed to come, is not there and that she was killed,” Alon said.
“We’ve been here for over a year, since Geffen’s mother was released. I know what it’s like to bring someone back alive. I lost my sister Carmel and I will carry that with me for the rest of my life. »
Carmit Palty Katzir said he lost his entire family in the past year. His father, Rami Katzir, was killed on October 7, while his elderly mother and brother, Hanna Katzir and Elad Katzir, were kidnapped. Elad was killed in captivity in January and his body was recovered by the Israeli military in April and repatriated to Israel for burial. Hanna was released in November 2023 but died in December from medical complications related to her captivity.
“We want to close our club,” she said.
“Our club is every family’s nightmare, the place no one wants to be a part of. We are the result of missed opportunities. »
“We are here because there was no agreement,” Carmit added.
“We don’t have anyone to take home or save, but we’re here so no other families have to go through this. »
“The government must ensure that an agreement is implemented immediately to bring everyone back before it is too late for the remaining abductees,” she added.
“Far too many hostages, who could have returned alive, were murdered and killed due to military pressure,” said Merav Svirsky, the sister of Itay, who was killed in captivity and whose body was repatriated to Israel.
“It is now clear that military pressure is endangering the lives of the hostages. Military pressure killed them and continues to kill them. And this military pressure also endangers and harms the lives of our soldiers. The policy that prioritizes continued military pressure must be replaced by a policy that saves lives and commits to the return of all hostages. »
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