On his 23rd birthday: IDF rescues body of Hamas hostage Yonatan Samerano
The body of Yonatan Samerano, who was murdered on October 7, was recovered this morning in a successful IDF military operation from the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza.
Twitter
The father of the fallen captive Yehonatan Samrano, of blessed memory, announced this morning (Sunday) that his body was recovered from Gaza. Yehonatan was murdered on October 7 by terrorist fire in Be’eri, after escaping from the Nova party.
His father Kobi wrote on his Facebook account: “Yesterday was Yoni’s Hebrew birthday. On his 23rd birthday, the day he was born, our Yoni was rescued in a heroic operation by the brave IDF soldiers and Shin Bet. On his birthday, Yoni, that rascal of a kid, knocked on the door of his home. Just before that, a missile fragment fell near the door.
And then came the message, the message we did not want to receive for many long months. From the first moment, I wholeheartedly believed that our army would bring back my son. I never stopped believing, and so it happened.”
He added: “I want to express deep thanks: to the government of Israel, to the Prime Minister, to the security forces, to the brave IDF soldiers, the reserve fighters, the wives of the heroes, their parents, and all the people of Israel who carried us on the wings of prayer, hope, and faith.
“Yoni, we were privileged to live beside you for 21 and a half years of light, and today, in new light, you have returned to us, beloved son, wrapped in the light of heroism, of faith, of a whole nation. Dad, Mom, and Yair will remember you forever. Am Yisrael Chai (The people of Israel live).”
Yonatan was affectionately known as "Yonti" by his friends and family. Described as a skilled DJ who loved creating music, enjoying life, and traveling, Yonti was a social figure always surrounded by friends, with an entrepreneurial spirit that shone through his young age as he dreamed of building a career in event production.
The IDF officially announced: "In a special operation yesterday, the bodies of the hostages Ofra Keidar HY"D, Yonatan Samerano HY"D, and Sergeant First Class Shai Levinson HY"D were recovered from the Gaza Strip. The number of hostages in the Gaza Strip now stands at 50."
A Shin Bet official said, “To carry out the operation in Gaza, we used the agency’s special capabilities.”