JK Rowling has condemned the kidnapping of children by Hamas as she posted a photo of a kidnapped autistic Harry Potter fan.
The author shared a photo of Noya, 12, dressed in a Harry Potter costume on X, formerly known as Twitter, with the caption: ‘Kidnapping children is despicable and completely irresponsible. This photo came to me for obvious reasons.
“May Noya and all hostages kidnapped by Hamas be returned to their families quickly and safely.”
Noya was tragically taken by Hamas along with her grandmother Carmela, 80, on October 7 and her mother, Galit Dan, 53, believes they were taken to Gaza along with nearly 200 other hostages.
In the photo that JK Rowling posted yesterday, Noya can be seen wearing a Gryffindor tie and clothes that resemble the Hogwarts school uniform.
The author shared a photo of Noya, 12, dressed in a Harry Potter costume on X, formerly known as Twitter, yesterday and condemned the kidnapping of children by Hamas.
Noya (pictured left) was tragically kidnapped by Hamas, along with her grandmother Carmela (right), 80, on October 7
JK Rowling wrote: ‘May Noya and all hostages kidnapped by Hamas be returned to their families quickly and safely’
She also had a Hebrew copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in her hands, as well as a wand.
Israel had earlier posted Noya’s photo on X on Sunday, saying: ‘This beautiful 12-year-old girl with autism was kidnapped from her home by Hamas terrorists and taken to Gaza.
‘Noya is sensitive, kind, funny and a huge Harry Potter fan.’
The State of Israel’s official X-Report also urged JK Rowling to share Noya’s story in hopes of “bringing her home.”
Last week, Noya’s mother shared the heartbreaking last conversation she had with her 12-year-old daughter before the kidnapping.
Mrs. Dan was hiding in a panic room five miles away when Noya sent her a voice message: “Mommy, I’m scared. There are people in the house. Help me.’
Noya was hiding in the dark at her grandmother Carmela’s house and silently texting each other when explosions broke out around the Nir Oz kibbutz on October 7.
They disappeared after Noya sent a panic message and are said to have been returned to the Gaza Strip by Hamas gunmen, along with at least 199 hostages.
Galit Dan (right) said her daughter (left) was kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz
Inon Ilan, whose partner’s 12-year-old child, Noya, was reportedly captured by Hamas
Noya’s mother, her husband, Noya’s stepfather, and her other daughter Tomal, 9, managed to wait safely in their home in the Kibbutz Kissufim settlement.
After 10 p.m., the family was evacuated to a resort hotel in the Dead Sea.
Mrs. Dan told me The sun last week: ‘The pain is indescribable. My little girl went to stay with her grandma and messaged us when these animals came for them.
“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.”
Mrs Dan told The Sun that her daughter had autism and was extremely sensitive. She described her daughter as a “very sweet, very funny, very smart girl.” She said her grandmother Carmela was “vulnerable herself.”
“What do they hope to achieve by doing this to innocent, helpless people?” she asked Hamas.
The Israeli army confirmed yesterday that at least 199 hostages had been taken back in Gaza, more than previous estimates.
More than 1,400 people are known to have been killed by the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, which have since been followed by thousands killed in Gaza in retaliation by Israeli airstrikes.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been massing in preparation for a ground invasion of Palestinian territory, but this was postponed at the last minute over the weekend amid suggestions that they had received new intelligence about hostages taken by Hamas.
Aaron Cohen, a former Israeli special operator, told Fox News on Sunday that claims that the invasion was postponed due to bad weather may not be the real or full reason.
The Israeli army confirmed yesterday that at least 199 hostages have been taken back in Gaza, more than previous estimates (photo: a Hamas attack on the Be’eri kibbutz)
Among them is missing British teenager Noiya (pictured right), who has not been heard from since Hamas attacked the community where they were staying. Her sister Yahel (photo left), 13 years old, was recently declared dead by her family
Israeli soldiers carry the body of a victim of a deadly Hamas attack last week on Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel
A mock delay in the invasion may have given the IDF additional time to rescue hostages, which is a top priority for the Israeli military and government. “You’re about to see Israel (do) what it does best: save good people. So stick with it,” he said.
The delay has also given Gaza residents extra time to flee to the southern part of the region, although it has become clear that Hamas is blocking the Palestinians’ ability to reach safety.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed on Monday that six Britons were killed in last week’s Hamas attacks, 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, 13 years old, was recently declared dead by her family. Their father Eli is still missing after the terrorist group attacked Kibbutz Be’eri in its cross-border attack on October 7.
Their mother Lianne, British and born in Bristol, was tragically murdered by the terrorists.
In a tribute, British relatives said Lianne was a “beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt and friend who enriched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.”
‘She lived a beautiful life and will be greatly missed by the heartbroken family and friends she leaves behind.’
Although it has now been ten days since the terrorist group stormed into Israel from Gaza, details are still emerging about the horrific disaster and its many victims.