- The death of a second Israeli-American Hamas hostage has been confirmed
- Days after it was revealed that her husband had been killed in the October 7 massacre, their kibbutz announced the death of Judy Weinstein.
Israeli-American Judy Weinstein, 70, a dual national, was killed during Hamas' barbaric terror attacks on Israel on October 7, Kibbutz Nir Or revealed on Thursday.
The body of the grandmother of seven children, along with her late husband Gadi Haggai, 73, is being held in Hamas custody in the Gaza Strip.
The elderly couple who lived in the peaceful kibbutz near Israel's southern border with Gaza were injured during Hamas' surprise attack on Saturday, October 7, and were taken into custody by terrorists.
Weinstein had called the kibbutz's safety center to inform them that her husband had been seriously injured. Medical personnel were sent in their direction but were intercepted by the full brunt of the Hamas attack.
Judy Weinstein and Gadi Haggai were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7
In a statement on Thursday, their kibbutz revealed that Judy was killed in the attack along with her husband and that their bodies are being held by Hamas.
In a statement, the kibbutz said: “Kibbutz Nir Oz announces with deep sorrow the murder of Judy Weinstein Hagai. Judy was 70 years old and a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Mother of 4, grandmother of 7 grandchildren.'
Weinstein was an English teacher who specialized in teaching children with special needs who had difficulty paying attention in class.
She was also described by the kibbutz as a 'poet' and 'entrepreneur', who enjoyed 'creating' and was 'dedicated to working for peace and brotherhood'.
The murdered couple left behind two sons and two daughters.
According to an Israeli newspaper HaaretzJudy was able to call a kibbutz member for help after their kidnapping, telling them she had been shot in the arm, while Gadi had been shot in the head and was “severely injured.”
An estimated 60 percent of the population of Kibbutz Nir Oz was killed or taken hostage during the October 7 attack.
Weinstein was born in upstate New York and moved to Toronto at the age of three. Twenty years later, she moved to Israel, where she married her husband, a musician and chef.
Weinstein, 70, was an English teacher who specialized in teaching children with special needs who had difficulty paying attention in class
President Joe Biden issued a statement last week saying he was “heartbroken” by the news that Haggai has likely been killed.
“Jill and I are heartbroken by the news that American Gad Haggai was now believed to have been killed by Hamas on October 7,” President Biden said.
“We continue to pray for the well-being and safe return of his wife Judy. Their daughter joined my meeting with the hostages' families by telephone last week.
“These families courageously shared with me the harrowing ordeal they have endured over the past few months as they waited for news of their loved ones. It's unbearable.
“Today we pray for their four children, seven grandchildren and other loved ones and join them in grieving this tragic news.
“And I reaffirm the promise we made to all the families of those still held hostage: we will not stop working to bring them home.”
The pair were among the 240 people arrested during the cross-border disaster of October 7 Hamas.