Joshua Loitu Mollel Identified as Returned Hostage

IFCJ Canada  |  November 14, 2025

After the previously returned bodies of hostages were identified as IDF soldiers who had fought on October 7, The Times of Israel reports that the fifth body released last week by Hamas is that of Joshua Loitu Mollel, a young man from Tanzania who was working as an agricultural intern at Kibbutz Nahal Oz when he was kidnapped and murdered by Hamas.

“Heartbroken but relieved, Joshua Loitu Mollel has been returned to Israel after 761 days in Hamas captivity,” the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post to X. “While Joshua wasn’t an Israeli citizen, over the past 2 years we Israelis adopted him into our hearts. While he will still travel home to his family in Tanzania, we feel like one of our own is back.”

“Kind, polite and hardworking, he embodied hope and curiosity on his very first trip abroad,” the ministry wrote.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum paid tribute to Mollel, citing the 21-year-old’s family as saying he had a big smile that never left his face.

“The families of the hostages and the returned embrace the family of Joshua Loitu Mollel at this difficult time, following the return of their beloved Joshua yesterday so he may be laid to rest,” the Forum said in a statement.

“Amid their grief and the knowledge that their hearts will never fully heal, Joshua’s return offers some comfort to a family that has endured unbearable uncertainty for over two years,” the Forum said. “We will not rest until every hostage comes home.”

Kibbutz Nahal Oz also remembers Mollel for his service and dedication to Israel’s agriculture – he had only been there for 19 days before the attacks, and it was also his first time abroad.

Mollel could have learned about agriculture anywhere, but he chose to come to Israel. The Fellowship prays for his family and for the families of all of those who came to Israel to better themselves and the nation but were met by terror.