A 12-year-old Harry Potter fan and her grandmother have been found dead after the Hamas attack in Israel earlier this month.
Noya Dan, who was autistic, and 80-year-old Carmela Dan were among those who were reported missing when Hamas gunmen carried out a raid from Gaza on 7 October.
Officials said rescue workers found the pair’s bodies after it was initially believed they had been kidnapped by the Palestinian militant group.
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The Israeli girl, from Kissufim kibbutz, was visiting her grandmother in Nir Oz kibbutz when the attack took place. The pair were found dead near the border fence with Gaza on Wednesday.
Israel’s official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “We are devastated to announce that Noya and her grandmother Carmela’s bodies were discovered yesterday.
“Thank you to all of you who shared her story to help us bring her home. Our hearts are broken.”
Galit Dan, Nora’s mother, said on Facebook: “It is with great sadness and sorrow that we announce the passing of Carmela and Nora Dan, beloved of our hearts.
“The funerals will take place privately.”
Noya’s uncle Ofer Calderon, his 16-year-old daughter Sahar and his 12-year-old son Erez are still missing, the family said, according to local outlet Channel 12.
“Today was a difficult day,” said Sharon Calderon, one of Noya’s relatives. “Carmela Dan and Noya Dan are no longer with us. May they be remembered for love. We continue to fight to bring Ofer, Sahar and Erez home.”
Writing on Monday on X, Harry Potter creator JK Rowling had expressed her hope for Noya’s safe return: “Kidnapping children is despicable and wholly unjustifiable.
“For obvious reasons, this picture [of Noya with a wand] has hit home with me. May Noya and all hostages taken by Hamas be returned soon, safely, to their families.”
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A total of 203 hostages, including children, are being held by Hamas in Gaza since the militant raid, the Israel Defence Forces said on Thursday.
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Israel says 1,400 of its citizens were killed in the Hamas attack.
The Gaza health ministry says 3,785 people have been killed in Israeli retaliatory strikes in the besieged territory.
Hamas has demanded the release of 6,000 people from Israeli prisons in exchange for the men, women and children taken.
