American Israeli woman believed to have been held hostage by Hamas was killed on Oct. 7
Misty Severi
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A woman with American, Israeli, and Canadian citizenship who was believed to have been captured by the terrorist organization Hamas on Oct. 7 was killed during the attack, according to a statement from the kibbutz Nir Oz on Thursday.
Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, was believed to have been taken hostage from the community by Hamas, but she was fired upon in the kibbutz with her husband Gadi Haggai. Israeli officials were able to confirm Haggai’s husband’s death last week, which also occurred during the attack.
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The couple were reportedly on a morning walk near their southern Israel home when the Hamas attack began. Both bodies are believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, a spokesperson for the kibbutz said.
“We are heartbroken by the murder of our mother and grandmother Judy Weinstein Haggai, an American-Israeli-Canadian citizen,” her family said in a statement, according to the Hill. “Judy was a mother of four, a grandmother of seven, and an active community member of Kibbutz Nir Oz.”
The family has connections to New York, where lawmakers and leaders mourned the news on Thursday. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) said she was heartbroken over Judith Weinstein Haggai’s death.
“My heart is with her family abroad and those still here in New York,” the governor said. “May her memory be a blessing and may the many hostages still in captivity be brought home safely.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also grieved for the loss of Weinstein Haggai. He posted a message last week upon confirmation of Gadi Haggai’s death.
“The news now that Judith Weinstein was killed in the October 7 attack is devastating,” Schumer posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “I’m grieving and praying for them. We must keep working to bring the hostages home. We cannot wait.”
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Approximately 250 people were believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas at the outbreak of the war, but 105 were released during a ceasefire agreement in November. In exchange, 240 Palestinians captured by Israel were released.
There are still approximately 129 Israelis believed to be held hostage in Gaza, according to Israel.