The IDF has recovered the body of Yair (Yaya) Yaakov, who was kidnapped and killed by Hamas during the October 7 attacks and held in the Gaza Strip, the military announced Wednesday.
Yaakov’s son, Yagil, who was himself kidnapped alongside his brother Or and later released in the first hostage deal, responded to the news in an emotional message posted on Instagram. “Dad, I love you. I don’t even know how to react yet. It’s heartbreaking to say this, but I’m already waiting for your funeral,” he wrote.
“I love you. I knew this day would come. Thank you to the IDF and Shin Bet for bringing him back. I hope the rest will come home through a deal that doesn’t endanger soldiers.”
Yair Yaakov is the father of Or and Yagil Yaakov, both abducted by Hamas on October 7 and freed weeks later as part of a Qatari-mediated hostage release agreement. His remains were recovered as part of ongoing Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip to locate and return both living and deceased hostages held by Hamas.