Israel’s military successfully retrieved the remains of two captives, Canadian-Israeli Judih Weinstein and her spouse, Israeli-American Gadi Haggai, who were held by Hamas, announced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. The Israeli military specified that the couple’s bodies were recovered through a special operation in the Khan Younis area of the Gaza Strip.
Expressing condolences, Netanyahu stated, “Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, along with all of Israel. The loss is deeply felt. May their memory be honored.” Kibbutz Nir Oz confirmed the deaths of Weinstein, aged 70, and Haggai, aged 72, who held citizenship in both Israel and the United States, in December 2023. The Israeli military disclosed that they were slain in the October 7, 2023, attack and transported to Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades, the small militant group responsible for abducting and killing Shiri Bibas and her two young children.
Weinstein, who had Canadian and U.S. citizenship, was raised in Canada, born in New York state, relocated to Toronto at three years old, and later moved to Israel with Haggai twenty years later. She was a mother of four and a grandmother of seven.
Following the October 7 incident, the Hostages Families Forum Headquarters, a group established in Israel, expressed appreciation for the recent developments. In a statement, they shared, “While their return is sorrowful and heart-wrenching, it also brings closure to our uncertainties. Their return serves as a reminder of the state’s responsibility to bring everyone home, enabling families and the nation to commence the healing process.”
Weinstein was among the Canadians who lost their lives in the October 7 attacks. Prime Minister Mark Carney praised her for dedicating her life to guiding others with compassion, generosity, and humanity. Carney emphasized the need for healing and rest during the return of the remains of Weinstein and her late husband, Gadi Haggai, and extended condolences to their family.
Carney urged Hamas to release the remaining hostages, as Israel estimates that 56 individuals are still in captivity, with less than half presumed to be alive. The Hostages Families Forum group reiterated this figure in their statement, urging both sides to facilitate the captives’ safe return without unnecessary delays.
Israel initiated military actions in Gaza following the assault on October 7, during which Hamas-affiliated gunmen purportedly claimed 1,200 lives and took 251 hostages, according to Israeli reports. Subsequently, over 54,000 Palestinians have been reported killed in the ensuing conflicts, as per local health authorities.