American-Canadian-Israeli Woman Believed to Be Held Hostage in Gaza Pronounced Dead
TEL AVIV, Israel — Judith Weinstein, a woman with American, Canadian, and Israeli citizenship, who was believed to be held hostage in Gaza, has been announced dead by a hard-hit Israeli kibbutz. This tragic news comes just six days after Weinstein’s husband, Gad Haggai, was also pronounced dead. The couple had been taking an early morning walk near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 when Hamas militants stormed across the border into Israel. During the incident, Weinstein managed to contact emergency services and inform them that both she and her husband had been shot before their capture.
The kibbutz initially believed that Weinstein and Haggai were among the hostages still held in Gaza. However, six days ago, they announced that Haggai had been killed on October 7 and that his body had been taken to Gaza. Now, the kibbutz has received information confirming that Weinstein was also killed on the same day and that her body is being held in Gaza. The details of how Israeli authorities determined their deaths have not been revealed at this time.
Weinstein and Haggai leave behind two sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren, according to statements from the kibbutz. The news of their deaths has deeply saddened and touched many, including President Joe Biden. He expressed his devastation upon learning about Weinstein’s death, especially after hearing about the couple during a meeting with their daughter. Biden stated, The families have been living through hell for weeks. No family should have to endure such an ordeal.
Weinstein, who was born in New York and was an active member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, dedicated her life to serving others. She taught English to children with special needs and also offered meditation techniques to children and teenagers suffering from anxiety caused by rocket fire from Gaza. Her husband, Haggai, was a retired chef and jazz musician.
Al Haggai, one of the couple’s sons, shared his family’s hope that Weinstein’s multiple citizenships would lead to her release during a week-long ceasefire in late November. Unfortunately, she was not among the 105 hostages released during that time, which raised concerns that something had happened to her.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has reported that at least 23 out of approximately 129 believed hostages in Gaza have either died or been killed while in captivity. Nir Oz, the kibbutz where Weinstein and Haggai resided, suffered heavy losses on October 7, with roughly one-quarter of its residents either killed or kidnapped.
The families of the missing hostages have received widespread support and sympathy in Israel as they continue to press the government for a new ceasefire deal that will bring their loved ones home. The prime minister has reassured the families that efforts are underway to secure the hostages’ release, although he did not provide further details.
As the nation mourns the loss of Judith Weinstein and Gad Haggai, their dedication to helping others and their tragic fate serve as a powerful reminder of the impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The search for peace and resolution continues as the families and the nation grieve their loss.
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