The bodies of an autistic child and her grandmother were discovered after they were kidnapped by Hamas, Israel says.
Noya, 12, and Carmela Dan, 80, are believed to have been taken hostage from where they lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, when Hamas militants attacked Israel and killed at least 1,400 people.
Their bodies were found on Tuesday, near the Isreal-Gaza border fence, according to several Jewish media outlets.
They were reportedly recovered by the Jerusalem-based ZAKA International Rescue Unit which operates a specially trained team of volunteers.
Israel posted a photo of Noya on its official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, last weekend.
She was pictured in a Hogwarts uniform, holding a wand and a Harry Potter book.
The caption read: “This beautiful 12-year-old girl with autism was kidnapped from her home by Hamas terrorists and was taken to Gaza.
“Noya is sensitive, kind, funny and a massive Harry Potter fan. Share this and help us bring Noya home.”
Author JK Rowling shared the post and wrote: “Kidnapping children is despicable and wholly unjustifiable.
“For obvious reasons, this picture has hit home with me. May Noya and all hostages taken by Hamas be returned soon, safely, to their families.”
Kidnapping children is despicable and wholly unjustifiable. For obvious reasons, this picture has hit home with me. May Noya and all hostages taken by Hamas be returned soon, safely, to their families. https://t.co/YIbf3egib4
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 16, 2023
Israel updated the post on Wednesday with the message: “We are devastated to announce that Noya and her grandmother Carmela’s bodies were discovered (on Tuesday).
“Thank you to all of you who shared her story to help us bring her home. Our hearts are broken.”
We are devastated to announce that Noya and her grandmother Carmela’s bodies were discovered yesterday.
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) October 19, 2023
Thank you to all of you who shared her story to help us bring her home.
Our hearts are broken 💔. https://t.co/1I9r4fibsP
Noya’s mother was hiding from Hamas militants in a panic room five miles away from her daughter during the attack.
She previously told The Sun how Noya sent her a heartbreaking voice message before she was taken which said: “Mummy, I'm scared. There are people in the house - help me."
Noya and her grandmother reportedly exchanged text messages in silence while they hid, until they disappeared.
