Bodies of Israeli-American hostages recovered from Gaza, Israeli military confirms

The Israeli military has announced the recovery of the bodies of two Israeli-American citizens who were taken hostage during the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Judi Weinstein Haggai, 70, who also held Canadian citizenship, and her husband Gadi Haggai, 72, were murdered by gunmen affiliated with the Mujahideen Brigades during the brutal attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, according to a statement released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday.

The couple’s remains were located overnight in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, an area that has seen heavy combat during Israel’s ongoing military campaign.

Following their recovery, the bodies were transported back to Israel, where forensic teams positively identified them.

“The return of Judi and Gadi brings a measure of clarity and closure to their grieving family, though the pain of their loss remains immeasurable,” the IDF said in a statement.

The military added that the operation to retrieve the bodies had been conducted based on intelligence gathered in recent weeks.

The Haggais were among the over 240 people taken hostage during the surprise assault by Hamas and allied groups, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.

The attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz was one of the deadliest incidents of that day, with dozens of residents killed or abducted.

With this latest development, the number of hostages still held in Gaza now stands at 56, according to Israeli authorities. At least 20 of them are believed to be alive, though their condition remains unknown.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered condolences to the Haggai family, stating, “We are committed to bringing back all our hostages — the living and those no longer with us. The nation mourns with the Haggai family.”

Efforts to reach a negotiated release of the remaining captives have repeatedly stalled, with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States working to revive a potential ceasefire and hostage deal.

The Mujahideen Brigades, a lesser-known militant faction aligned with Hamas, has claimed responsibility for several attacks during the October 7 assault.

Israeli intelligence has described them as a splinter group that has grown in prominence amid the chaos of the war.

Meanwhile, the conflict, now in its ninth month, continues to exact a heavy toll. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with international calls growing for an immediate ceasefire and the safe return of all hostages.

The Haggai family, long-time residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz and peace activists, have become emblematic of the personal tragedies that have unfolded amid the broader geopolitical crisis. Their deaths have been widely mourned in Israel, Canada, and the United States.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.