Israel recovers remains of two slain American hostages

Israel’s military brings back the bodies of an American-Israeli couple murdered during the Hamas invasion of Kibbutz Nir Oz and held captive in the Gaza Strip for over 600 days.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

Israeli forces operating in the Gaza Strip located the remains of two slain hostages held captive in the Gaza Strip and returned them to Israel before dawn on Thursday, an IDF spokesperson announced Thursday morning.

The operation was conducted jointly by the IDF and the Shin Bet security agency in the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza.

During the mission, the bodies of Judith Weinstein-Haggai and her husband, Gad Haggai, were recovered.

The couple held dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship; Weinstein-Haggai was also a Canadian.

Members of Kibbutz Nir Oz, they were murdered during the invasion of October 7, 2023. Terrorists from the Kataeb al-Mujahideen group took the couple’s bodies into captivity in the Gaza Strip.

At the time of their murder, Weinstein-Haggai was 70, and Haggai was 72. The couple are survived by their four children and seven grandchildren.

“We are grateful for the closure and the return of their bodies for a proper burial at home, in Israel,” the family said in a joint statement.

“We want to thank the IDF and security forces involved in this complex rescue mission and for fighting for us for more than a year and a half — and to everyone who supported, struggled, prayed, and fought for us and for all of Israel.

“That said, our hearts will not be whole until all 12 hostages from Nir Oz — and all 56 remaining hostages — are returned home.”

The recovery operation was carried out by IDF forces under the Southern Command in cooperation with Military Intelligence and special forces units, the IDF said.

It was facilitated by intelligence information obtained during the questioning of a captured terrorist.

Following identification procedures conducted at the National Center for Forensic Medicine, together with the Israel Police, the Hostage Staff in the IDF’s Manpower Directorate notified the family and the Nir Oz community.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the recovery of the couple’s remains while offering his condolences to their family.

“In a special Shin Bet and IDF operation in the Gaza Strip, the bodies of two of our hostages, which had been held by the murderous Hamas terrorist organization, have been returned to Israel: Judy Weinstein-Haggai and Gadi Haggai, of blessed memory, from Kibbutz Nir Oz,” Netanyahu said.

“Together with all citizens of Israel, my wife and I convey our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts grieve over this terrible loss. May their memories be blessed.

“I would like to thank, and express appreciation to, the fighters and commanders for this determined and successful operation. We will not rest, nor will we be silent, until we return home all of our hostages – the living and the deceased.”