Gaza: Bodies of Two Israeli-American Hostages Recovered and Repatriated to Israel

The bodies of Judy Weinstein-Haggai and Gad Haggai, two Israeli-American hostages abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack, have been brought back to Israel following a special operation conducted in the Gaza Strip. The announcement was made on Thursday, June 5, by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“During a special operation by the Shin Bet and the IDF, the bodies of two of our hostages held by the murderous terrorist organization Hamas were recovered: Judy Weinstein-Haggai and Gad Haggai of Kibbutz Nir Oz. May their memory be a blessing,” Netanyahu said in a statement. The couple had been killed and abducted from the fields near their home in Nir Oz, close to the Gaza border.

A Coordinated Operation in Southern Gaza

According to the Israeli military, the bodies were located in the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza during a joint operation by intelligence services and special forces. The remains were formally identified, and the families have been notified.

Judy, 70, was an English teacher specializing in children with special needs and described as a woman “devoted to peace and brotherhood.” Her husband, Gad, 72, was remembered by the kibbutz as “a sharp-minded man deeply connected to the land.” The couple, members of Kibbutz Nir Oz, had seven children and seven grandchildren.

A Tragedy Amid an Ongoing and Deadly Conflict

The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official sources. On that day, 251 people were taken hostage. Israeli authorities report that 55 hostages are still being held in Gaza, at least 32 of whom are believed to have died.

In retaliation, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 54,600 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry. These figures are considered credible by the United Nations.