The 12-year-old Israeli Harry Potter fan Noya Dan has been found murdered by Hamas terrorists, rescue workers have confirmed.
Noya was staying with her 80-year-old grandmother Carmela at her home at Kibbutz Nir Oz when Hamas gunmen attacked on October 7. Noya, who was autistic, had been presumed kidnapped and taken to Gaza, but her family confirmed in a Facebook post on Wednesday night that her body, along with her grandmother’s, had been identified by rescue workers.
Her mother, Galit Dan, who had been in a panic room five miles away when Nir Oz was attacked, shared the heartbreaking final voice message her daughter sent her that day.
“Mum, there was a big boom at the door that scared me,” Noya had whispered. “All the windows in grandma's house were broken at the entrance. Because there was another boom, there are many broken windows. Mummy I’m scared. There are people in the house — help me."
Kidnapping children is despicable and wholly unjustifiable. For obvious reasons, this picture has hit home with me. May Noya and all hostages taken by Hamas be returned soon, safely, to their families. https://t.co/YIbf3egib4
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 16, 2023
Israel posted on X/Twitter: "We are devastated to announce that Noya and her grandmother Carmela’s bodies were discovered yesterday.
"Thank you to all of you who shared her story to help us bring her home. Our hearts are broken."
Israel had previously shared Noya's photo on X/Twitter with the message: “This beautiful 12-year-old girl with autism was kidnapped from her home by Hamas terrorists and was taken to Gaza. Noya is sensitive, kind, funny and a massive Harry Potter fan.”
On Monday, JK Rowling shared a picture of her young fan in a Harry Potter costume, and condemned the kidnapping of children.
Noya and Carmela's deaths were also confirmed by the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs.
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