Two Israeli Americans, Judi and Gadi Haggai, have been identified as victims of a Hamas-led assault, with their bodies recently recovered from Gaza. As Israel continues its military campaign, the families call for a swift resolution to the hostage crisis.
Israeli Military Recovers Bodies of Hostages in Gaza
Israeli Military Recovers Bodies of Hostages in Gaza
The discovery marks a tragic chapter in the ongoing conflict as tensions rise over remaining hostages.
Israeli military officials reported the recovery of two bodies of Israeli Americans that were taken hostage during the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The deceased were identified as Judi Weinstein Haggai, 70, who also held Canadian citizenship, and her husband, Gadi Haggai, 72. According to a statement from the military, the couple was murdered by gunmen from the Mujahideen Brigades group during an assault on Kibbutz Nir Oz.
The recovery took place in the southern Khan Younis area of Gaza, where their bodies were retrieved and transported back to Israel for forensic identification. As of now, there are still 56 hostages believed to be held captive by Hamas in Gaza, with at least 20 confirmed to be alive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed heartfelt condolences to the Haggai family, stating, “Our hearts grieve over this terrible loss. May their memories be blessed.” He also thanked the military for their efforts in recovering the bodies, asserting the country’s commitment to “bring home all of our hostages – the living and the deceased.”
Family members of Judi and Gadi Haggai shared their grief, recalling the last moments they spent together before the attack. "We welcome the closure and their return to a proper burial at home, in Israel,” they said in a statement.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has urged leaders to negotiate a new ceasefire with Hamas to facilitate the return of all remaining hostages, emphasizing that the public seeks an immediate resolution to this humanitarian crisis. The Israeli military has been actively conducting operations in Gaza as part of its response to the unprecedented cross-border attack, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the capture of 251 hostages, according to officials.
The ongoing violence has taken a significant toll on Gaza, with the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry reporting that over 54,607 people have died since the military campaign began. As calls for peace and resolution grow louder, the plight of the remaining hostages continues to weigh heavily on the minds of families and the nation.
