This week another Israeli family is mourning the death of their loved ones who were kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas since 7 October.
According to the Ziyadne family, the bodies of Youssef Ziyadne, 53, and his son Hamza Ziyadne, 22, have been discovered. Details are still emerging, but the IDF has confirmed that Youssef’s body has been recovered and that evidence suggests Hamza has suffered the same fate.
It is a heartbreaking situation for this Bedouin-Israeli family who has seen two of their family members, Bilal (18) and Aisha (17), returned safely in the November 2023 hostage deal, and were hoping for a positive end to this situation. Instead, they have received this tragic news. We are heartbroken for them.
A family is in mourning and Israel as a whole weeps for their fellow countrymen.
The world has little sympathy for Israel, yet Israelis have suffered far more than the world will acknowledge. These are real people who are affected by this war.
Children are going to bed without their fathers who have been killed fighting on the front lines against terror. Mothers are trying to soothe the fears of their children who are traumatised by constant rocket attacks and the threat of terror. Fathers are longing for their daughters to be released from captivity so they can embrace and protect them once again.
We cannot imagine the horrors the hostages are living through, the anguish and heartache their families are feeling, or the trauma that everyday Israelis have endured.
Christians must have a heart for Israelis, especially as the world is turning its back on them. We must comfort God’s people today and always.
For Zion’s Sake,
The CUFI UK Team
