The body of an Israeli hostage held captive in Gaza since the October 7 attack has been identified after his remains were recovered, the military said, AFP reports.

Following a forensic examination, the Israeli military said it notified the family of Hamza al-Zayadna that he “was killed in Hamas captivity,” after on Wednesday announcing that the body of his father Youssef had been recovered and brought back to Israel.

The Arab Bedouin father and son were seized by Palestinian militants from Kibbutz Holit near the Gaza border during the deadliest-ever attack on Israel. Kidnapped with them were Hamza’s sister and brother, who were released during a week-long truce in November 2023.

Unconfirmed reports had emerged on Wednesday on the fate of Hamza al-Zayadna, though the military confirmed his remains had been identified.

Opinion

Editorial

Spoiler alert
17 Jun, 2026

Spoiler alert

AFTER the temporary peace deal between the US and Iran is physically signed in Geneva on Friday, an arduous process...
Storm-tested cities
17 Jun, 2026

Storm-tested cities

THE deaths caused by the latest spell of monsoon rains in KP and Punjab illustrate how quickly severe weather can...
Chakwal tragedy
17 Jun, 2026

Chakwal tragedy

A NINE-year-old girl is dead because a Punjab Crime Control Department gunman mistook her family’s car for a...
A new deal
Updated 16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...
Charter of economy
16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...
Hostage seamen
16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...