Israel
Israeli-American citizen Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, murdered by Hamas terrorists
Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the death of the mother, grandmother and English teacher
December 28, 2023 17:39
1 min read
Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the death of the mother, grandmother and English teacher
December 28, 2023 17:39An Israeli-American woman kidnapped on October 7 was killed on the same day and her body remains in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, her community said on Thursday.
Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, had been missing since the Hamas attack, which saw more than 250 people taken hostage from Israel into Gaza. She had been thought to be the oldest woman amongst the hostages still held in Gaza.
Her kibbutz said on Thursday that Haggai was “murdered in the massacre,” and her body remains in Gaza. The announcement follows the confirmation on December 23 that her husband, Gadi Haggai, was also killed on October 7.
"The bodies of both are still in the custody of Hamas," the Nir Oz community said.
She was described by the kibbutz as a “poet” and “entrepreneur,” who was “dedicated to working for peace and brotherhood.”
The mother of four and grandmother of seven was last heard from in a phone call when she told a paramedic that she and her husband had both been wounded.
She also called a kibbutz member for help and told them she had been shot in the arm while Gadi had been shot in the head and was “critically injured.”
The couple's son Ahl told AFP earlier this month "She's nowhere to be found," he said, with only his mother's glasses recovered from the kibbutz.
More than 100 of the hostages taken into Gaza have since been freed, while 129 remain in captivity.
President Joe Biden issued a statement last week to say he was “heartbroken” by the news of Gadi Haggai’s murder.
“Jill and I are heartbroken by the news that American Gad Haggai is now believed to have been killed by Hamas on October 7,” President Biden said.
“We continue to pray for the well-being and safe return of his wife, Judy. Their daughter joined by phone my meeting with the families of hostages last week.”
“Today, we are praying for their four children, seven grandchildren, and other loved ones and are grieving this tragic news with them.”
“And I reaffirm the pledge we have made to all the families of those still held hostage: we will not stop working to bring them home.”