Israeli forces have recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages, Judi Weinstein Haggai and her husband Gadi Haggai, from southern Gaza, the military confirmed on Wednesday. The couple had been abducted during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023.
According to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the bodies were found during an overnight operation in the Khan Younis area of Gaza, based on what was described as “precise intelligence” from the IDF and Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet.
Judi, 70, also held Canadian citizenship and was an English teacher, while her 72-year-old husband Gadi had previously worked in the kitchen of Kibbutz Nir Oz. The couple were reportedly murdered by fighters from the Mujahideen Brigades during the brutal attack on the kibbutz.
The Haggais were last seen alive in a video sent to a group chat as the October 7 assault began. The footage showed them taking cover in a field under rocket fire. Judi later messaged friends saying both had been wounded. Attempts to send an ambulance were unsuccessful, as it was reportedly hit by a rocket.
The Israeli military has not disclosed the full details of the intelligence that led to the recovery of the bodies, citing operational sensitivity. However, Israeli Army Radio reported that the information came from the interrogation of a captured Palestinian militant.
The Haggai family said in a statement: “They went out for a walk on that cursed Saturday and never returned. We welcome the closure and their return to a proper burial in Israel.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences and praised the military operation, vowing continued efforts to bring all hostages home.
Currently, 56 hostages remain in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Of the 251 people kidnapped during the October 7 attacks, 199 have been returned 148 of them alive largely through two temporary ceasefire agreements between Israel and Hamas.
Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza shortly after the attack, in which around 1,200 people were killed. In retaliation, Israel imposed a blockade and began large-scale operations targeting Hamas infrastructure and leadership throughout the territory.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, more than 54,000 people have been killed during the war. Recent offensives have displaced hundreds of thousands, with more than 640,000 people forced to flee their homes again in the past three months alone.
Hopes for a new ceasefire deal remain dim. Hamas has offered to release 10 living and 18 dead hostages in exchange for a 60-day truce and the release of Palestinian prisoners. However, the group’s demand for a permanent ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal has stalled negotiations.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has urged Israeli leaders to pursue a deal urgently. There is no need to wait another 608 agonising days for this, the group said. This mission can be completed as early as tomorrow morning. This is what the majority of the Israeli people want.
