Sister Reveals Hamas Executed Israeli Hostage Hanan Yablonka After Kidnapping

Avivit Yablonka, sister of Hanan Yablonka, who was killed after being kidnapped in the Hamas attack on October 7, has revealed new details about his final moments. Hanan, 42, a father of two, was severely wounded near the Nova party area and then abducted by Hamas militants who took him to a hospital in Gaza. According to Avivit, when the militants saw he was dying, they shot him three times in the head, placed his body in a sack, and hid it within tunnel walls in Jabalia.

Hanan was declared missing for about three months, with his family only learning after 12 weeks that he had been taken to Gaza. They remained unaware of his fate until Israeli Defense Forces and Shin Bet recovered his body on May 24, 2024. He was found alongside the bodies of Michelle Nissenbaum and Orion Hernandez, all killed during the terror attack and abducted to Gaza, according to official IDF and Shin Bet statements.

Avivit described the discovery as miraculous, noting that the militants had concealed the bodies in sacks within tunnel walls, and Israeli forces could have easily missed them. She also revealed that Hanan had not informed his family about attending the Nova party that night, and she never had the chance to say goodbye. Avivit shared her testimony during a visit to London for the Nova exhibition, which drew over 40,000 visitors including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, alongside survivors, released hostages, and families of abductees.