Discovery of hostages' bodies sees outpour of support from Diaspora

The IDF returned the bodies of Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nissenbaum, and Orion Hernandez to Israel after they were found in the northern Gaza neighborhood of Jabalya.

 CONTEMPLATIVE MOMENTS on campus in front of hostages, near the pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University, New York City, April 24.  (photo credit: REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)
CONTEMPLATIVE MOMENTS on campus in front of hostages, near the pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University, New York City, April 24.
(photo credit: REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)

The discovery of the bodies of three of Hamas's hostages on Thursday night was met with shows of support and mourning from across the Jewish world.

The IDF returned the bodies of Hanan Yablonka, Michel Nissenbaum, and Orion Hernandez to Israel after they were found in the northern Gaza neighborhood of Jabalya.

Hernandez was one of three French citizens that were being held in Gaza, said the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF).

In addition to having Mexican citizenship, Hernandez was one of three French citizens still held in Gaza, said the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF).

"All our thoughts are with their families and loved ones," said CRIF. "Two French hostages still remain in the hands of Hamas."

 People protest march for hostages marking 100 days since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, at Central Park in New York City, on January 14, 2024.  (credit: Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
People protest march for hostages marking 100 days since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, at Central Park in New York City, on January 14, 2024. (credit: Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)

The recovery of Hernandez, who is also a Mexican citizen, was met with mourning by the Comité Central de la Comunidad Judía de México.

"We send our condolences to his families and pray for the rest of the kidnapped people who are still in the hands of these terrorists without even knowing their condition," said the committee.

Mourning the death of Brazilian citizen

The Brazilian Israelite Confederation (CONIB) mourned the death of Brazilian citizen Nissenbaum on Friday, sending condolences to his family.

CONIB noted that Nissenbaum's family had come to Brazil to call on the government for intervention in the case of their loved one and that of others kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. Other Brazilian citizens had been killed during the pogrom, said CONIB, including Ranani Glazer, Celeste Fisbein, and Bruna Valeanu, and Karla Stelzer Mendes.

The Jewish group said that it hoped their deaths would "at least help people understand the need to combat the nihilistic terrorism of groups like Hamas."

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said that their thoughts were with the families of the victims, noting that Nissenbaum's niece had visited London to speak at an April 7 BoD vigil to advocate for her uncle.

The World Jewish Congress called for the hostages' memories to continue to be a blessing.

"It has been 230 days since October 7. Our hearts are still broken," said WJC. "May their memories be a blessing.

Pro-Israel NGO StandWithUs said that the discovery of the bodies left them "heartbroken."