JK Rowling condemns 'despicable' kidnapping of children by Hamas

JK Rowling condemns ‘despicable and wholly unjustifiable’ kidnapping of children by Hamas as she posts picture of abducted autistic Harry Potter fan, 12, that ‘has hit home with me for obvious reasons’

• Noya was kidnapped by Hamas alongside her grandmother Carmela, 80 

JK Rowling has condemned the kidnapping of children by Hamas as she posted a picture of an abducted autistic Harry Potter fan.

The author shared a picture of Noya, 12, wearing a Harry Potter costume on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption: ‘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.’

Noya had been tragically taken by Hamas alongside her grandmother Carmela, 80, on October 7 and her mother, Galit Dan, 53, believes they were taken to Gaza alongside nearly 200 other hostages.

In the photo posted by JK Rowling yesterday, Noya can be seen wearing a Gryffindor tie and clothes resembling the Hogwarts school uniform. 

The author shared a picture of Noya, 12, wearing a Harry Potter costume on X, formerly known as Twitter, yesterday and condemned the kidnapping of children by Hamas

Noya (pictured left) had been tragically kidnapped by Hamas alongside her grandmother Carmela (right), 80, on October 7 

JK Rowling wrote: ‘May Noya and all hostages taken by Hamas be returned soon, safely, to their families’

She was also holding a Hebrew copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince as well as a wand.

Israel had previously posted Noya’s picture on X on Sunday, saying: ‘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.’

The State of Israel’s official X account also urged JK Rowling to share Noya’s story in the hopes of ‘bringing her home’. 

Last week, Noya’s mother had shared the heartbreaking last conversation she had with her 12-year-old daughter before the kidnapping.

Ms Dan was five miles away hiding in a panic room when Noya sent her a voice message: ‘Mummy, I’m scared. There are people in the house – help me.’

Noya hid in darkness at her grandmother Carmela’s home, texting each other in silence as explosions erupted around the kibbutz of Nir Oz on October 7.

They disappeared after Noya sent a panicked message and are believed to have been taken back to the Gaza Strip by Hamas gunmen, among at least 199 hostages.

Galit Dan (right) said her daughter (left) was kidnapped by Hamas from the Nir Oz kibbutz

Inon Ilan, whose partner’s 12-year-old child, Noya, was allegedly captured by Hamas

Noya’s mother managed to wait in safety with her husband – Noya’s stepfather – and her other daughter Tomal, 9, at their home in the settlement of Kibbutz Kissufim.

After 22 hours, the family was evacuated to a Dead Sea resort hotel. 

Ms Dan told The Sun last week: ‘The pain is indescribable. My little girl went for a sleepover with her granny and was messaging us as these animals came for them.

READ MORE: I heard my 12-year-old son beg Hamas terrorists ‘I’m too young, don’t take me’ as they kidnapped him and his brother: Israeli mother says ‘I’m in a living nightmare…I don’t know if they’re alive’ 

‘Our best hope now is that they have been kidnapped and will somehow survive. I am living every parent’s nightmare — every parent in the world will feel our pain.’ 

Ms Dan told The Sun her daughter had autism and was extremely sensitive. She described her daughter as a ‘very sweet, very funny, very clever little girl’. She said that her grandmother Carmela was ‘vulnerable herself’. 

‘What do they hope to achieve by doing this to innocent helpless people?’ she asked of Hamas.

The Israeli military confirmed yesterday that at least 199 hostages were taken back in Gaza, higher than previous estimates. 

More than 1,400 people are known to have been killed by the terrorist attacks from Hamas on October 7 which has since been followed by thousands of deaths in Gaza in retaliatory Israeli air strikes. 

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have been massing in preparation for a ground invasion of the Palestinian territory, but this was postponed at the last minute over the weekend amid suggestions they had received new intelligence about hostages taken by Hamas. 

Aaron Cohen, a former Israeli special operator, told Fox News on Sunday that claims the invasion had been postponed due to bad weather may not be the real or full reason.  

The Israeli military confirmed yesterday that at least 199 hostages were taken back in Gaza, higher than previous estimates (pictured: a Hamas attack on the Be’eri kibbutz)

Among them is missing British teenager Noiya (pictured right) who have not been heard from since Hamas attacked the community where they were staying. Her sister Yahel (pictured left), aged 13, has recently been confirmed dead by her family

Israeli soldiers carry the body of a victim of a deadly Hamas attack last week at Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel

A bogus delay of the invasion may have offered the IDF extra time to save hostages, which is a top priority for the Israeli army and government. ‘You’re about to see Israel [do] what it does best: rescue good people. So stand by,’ he said. 

READ MORE:  EXCLUSIVE: Hero grandmother, 71, held missile proof shelter door in Nir Oz shut for SEVEN HOURS as Hamas terrorists fired bullets and tried to break in

The delay has also provided Gazans extra time to flee to the southern part of the region, though it has become clear that Hamas are blocking the Palestinians’ ability to move to safety. 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed on Monday that six Britons were killed in the attacks by Hamas last week, while another 10 are missing, some of whom are feared dead.  

Among them is missing British teenager Noiya who has not been heard from since Hamas attacked the community where she and her family were staying. 

Her sister Yahel, aged 13, has recently been confirmed dead by her family. Their father Eli is still missing after the terror group targeted Kibbutz Be’eri in its cross-border attack on October 7. 

Their mother Lianne, who is British and was born in Bristol, was tragically killed by the terrorists.

In a tribute, British family members said Lianne was a ‘beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend who enriched the lives of all those lucky enough to have known and loved her. 

‘She lived a beautiful life and will be sorely missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind.’ 

While it is now ten days since the terror group stormed into Israel from Gaza, details are still emerging about the horrific rampage and of its many victims. 

Source: Read Full Article