Tanzanian Student Joshua Mollel Identified Among Returned Hostages

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Thursday morning that the remains returned from Gaza on Wednesday night have been identified as Joshua Loitu Mollel, a Tanzanian student kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023. His body was received through a coordinated operation by the IDF, Shin Bet, and the Red Cross, then transferred for identification at the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir.

Mollel’s death marks a deeply somber milestone: the return of a foreign civilian who was abducted by Hamas during the terror group’s mass invasion of southern Israel. He had been studying and living in Israel when he was taken hostage.

"The Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Mollel family,” the PMO said in a statement. “We are committed to bringing back all of our fallen hostages for proper burial. Hamas is required to fulfill its obligations under the ceasefire agreement and return the remaining bodies. We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until all hostages are brought home.”

Mollel’s identification follows the return of Staff-Sergeant Itay Chen on Tuesday and three other hostages earlier in the week Col. Asaf Hamami, Capt. Omer Neutra, and St.-Sgt. Oz Daniel. These returns come amid intense pressure on Hamas to comply with ceasefire terms negotiated through international mediators.

According to Israeli officials, seven hostages remain deceased and in Hamas captivity, including Meny Godard, Hadar Goldin, Ran Gvili, Dror Or, Lior Rudaeff, and Sudthisak Rinthalak—a Thai national. Goldin, an IDF soldier, is the last known military serviceman still held by Hamas, while Rinthalak is the final foreign national yet to be returned.

Joshua Mollel’s tragic death underscores the global scope of Hamas’s crimes on October 7, when over 1,200 people were massacred and hundreds more taken hostage. His return to Israel allows for a proper burial and offers a measure of closure for his family, who have waited in agony for more than two years.

Israel continues to demand the return of all hostages, both living and fallen. With each recovered body, the nation reaffirms its sacred promise: no hostage will be forgotten, no effort will be spared.

Stand with the families and honor those we’ve lost. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on Israel’s efforts to bring every hostage home.