Israel has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages who were killed and abducted in Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack. Nir Oz kibbutz announced their deaths in December 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the remains of Judih Weinstein, 70, and Gad Haggai, 72, both of whom had Israeli and US citizenship, were returned to Israel by the army and the Shin Bet internal security agency after an overnight operation in southern Gaza.
A joint statement from the Israeli army and the Shin Bet internal security agency said the bodies of Israeli-American hostages, Judih Weinstein Haggai and Gad Haggai, were recovered from the Khan Younis area of the southern Gaza Strip in an overnight operation. “The rescue operation was conducted by … troops in coordination with the intelligence directorate and special forces,” it added.
“Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed.”
Benjamin Netanyahu
The Israeli military said in a statement that Weinstein and Haggai were murdered by gunmen from the Mujahideen Brigades, a small Palestinian group, when they attacked Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023.
The Israeli-American couple were taking an early morning walk near their home in Nir Oz kibbutz on the morning of October 7, 2023 when Hamas militants stormed across the border and rampaged through several army bases and farming communities.
In the early hours of the morning, Weinstein was able to call emergency services and let them know that she and her husband had been shot and send a message to her family.
Israeli President, Isaac Herzog described the return of the bodies of two Israeli-Americans, Judih Weinstein Haggai and Gad Haggai as “a moment of deep pain, but also one of solace and the resolution of uncertainty.” He said in a post on X, “We will continue to do everything in our power to bring our sisters and brothers back from hell.”
Their daughter, Iris Haggai Liniado, wrote in a Facebook post, “My beautiful parents have been freed, We have certainty.” She thanked the Israeli military, the FBI and the Israeli and US governments and called for the release of all the remaining hostages.
Call For Return Of Hostages
In a statement, the forum of the Israeli hostage families said that the dead hostages return is painful and heartbreaking, yet it also brings healing to our uncertainty. “Their return reminds us all that it is the state’s duty to bring everyone home, so that we, the families, together with all the people of Israel, can begin the process of healing and recovery,’’ it said.
The forum stressed that decision-makers must do everything necessary to reach an agreement that will return all 56 remaining hostages – the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for burial.
“There is no need to wait another 608 agonising days for this. The mission can be completed as early as tomorrow morning. This is what the majority of the Israeli people want.’’
Forum of the Israeli hostage families
At least 20 of the 56 remaining hostages are believed to be alive, according to Israel. Most of the hostages were released as part of deals with Hamas during two temporary ceasefires in late 2023 and early 2025.
Since the 7 October attacks, Israel has responded with an air and ground assault on Gaza that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health authorities, and reduced much of the territory to ruins as food supplies have also been blocked.
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