September, Friday 20, 2024

Judi Haggai: US-Canadian Citizen Identified as Deceased in Gaza


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In a tragic development, it has been confirmed that an Israeli-American-Canadian national, Judi Weinstein Haggai, who was believed to be held hostage in Gaza, was killed by Hamas. The Kibbutz Nir Oz community, from where she was taken, made the announcement. During the attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, Judi Haggai, 70, was fatally wounded, alongside her husband Gadi Haggai, 73, who was also killed by Hamas. Their bodies are currently being held in Gaza. The family had previously expressed hope that Judi Haggai was still alive following the confirmation of her husband's death last week. However, Kibbutz Nir Oz has confirmed her tragic death. Describing her as an English teacher who specialized in teaching children with special needs, the kibbutz community highlighted her various endeavors to promote peace in the region. In a statement, the Haggai family expressed indescribable pain at the loss of their parents and grandparents in the attack on their kibbutz. They expressed their prayers for the prompt return of their bodies and urged leaders to bring hostages home before it's too late. US President Joe Biden expressed devastation at Judi's death and the news of her husband's possible death at the hands of Hamas. He promised to never forget the suffering endured by the Haggai family and vowed to continue working to bring all remaining hostages back home. Judi Haggai had family connections to New York state in the US. New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her heartbreak and offered condolences to the family, emphasizing the importance of bringing the remaining hostages back safely. On the day of the attack, Judi Haggai had been walking with her husband near Nir Oz. She sent a video of the scene to a group chat upon hearing sirens and informed friends and family about their injuries before losing contact. Their daughter, Iris Weinstein Haggai, shared that her mother informed her they were shot by terrorists on a motorcycle and that her father was seriously wounded. Despite attempts to send an ambulance, it was hit by a rocket. During the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, approximately 240 hostages were taken, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people. So far, 110 hostages have been freed during a temporary ceasefire, and 23 have been declared dead in absentia. The White House believes that eight Americans are still in Hamas captivity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed that they will not give up on anyone and are committed to returning all hostages. Demonstrations demanding the immediate release of the hostages held in Gaza have taken place, and the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has reported over 21,320 deaths since Israel initiated its retaliatory campaign.