Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced on Wednesday the recovery of the bodies of two hostages who were being held in the Gaza Strip after they were kidnapped by Hamas in an attack on October 7, 2023.

A writer expressed his “condolences” to the Al-Zaydana family after the bodies of Youssef and his son Hamza, who were kidnapped in the attack on October 7, were found, noting that the recovery of their bodies came after an operation carried out by Israeli forces.

Katz said in a statement, “I was in contact with the family during the most difficult times, as I accompanied Ali, Yousef’s brother and Hamza’s uncle, in several international meetings to convey their story to world leaders.”

Pressure has intensified on the Israeli government recently to reach an agreement guaranteeing the release of hostages held in Gaza.

On Tuesday, 112 Israelis from the families of hostages held by armed Palestinian factions in Gaza submitted a petition against the government and its president, Benjamin Netanyahu.

The petition accused the government of “abandoning the prisoners in violation of the law for 459 days,” by “violating their legal rights to life, bodily integrity, and human dignity.”

The signatories, who said they represented all the hostages' families, called on the Supreme Court to intervene.