The first American death of a hostage held by the the terrorist Hamas regime has been reported Friday.
The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum reported the murder of Gadi Haggai, a 73-year-old American Israeli. His wife, Judi Weinstein, 70, is still being held captive by the terrorists.
Gadi was known for his humor and musical talent. “Gadi was a man full of humor who knew how to make those around him laugh,” the families group shared with the Times of Israel.
As a skilled flautist, he played in the Israeli Defense Forces Orchestra and was passionate about music throughout his life.
The chilling details of the couple’s abduction and subsequent assault were relayed through desperate calls for help on October 7. Weinstein, managing to reach out to a member of the kibbutz, described being shot and severely injured by, with Gadi suffering a fatal head wound.
“She said they were shot by terrorists on a motorcycle and that my dad was wounded really bad,” as recounted by their daughter Iris to the Times of Israel.
Despite Weinstein’s attempts to get medical help, the escalating violence in the area prevented any rescue.
After those initial calls for help, the family, who are located in various parts of the world, including Israel and Singapore, heard nothing further.
The silence that followed these initial communications has been deafening. The couple’s family, spanning continents from Israel to Singapore, has been left in an agonizing limbo, clinging to hope amidst the despair.
The discovery of the phone used to make those desperate calls provided a fleeting glimmer of hope, suggesting the possibility of survival amidst the chaos of over 220 Israelis taken hostage during the assault.
The story of Gadi and Judi is deeply rooted in their American origins. Gadi’s parents were from Manhattan and Detroit, and Judi is originally from upstate New York. They moved to Israel 30 years ago, looking for a peaceful existence, which was cruelly interrupted by this tragic event.
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The loss of Gadi leaves a void in the lives of his four children and seven grandchildren. This personal loss is a part of a larger crisis, as the Israeli government reports that 129 people are still held captive in the Gaza Strip, with 22 confirmed dead.
The forum noted that among the hostages, between five and ten are U.S. citizens. However, there has been no immediate comment from the U.S. Embassy.
The death of Gadi Haggai is a stark reminder that the tragedies of October 7 committed by terrorist Hamas is far from over. As a pro-Palestinian movement is growing globally and the war continues with no sign of surrender or decency from Hamas, it is time for the world to speak in one voice, “free all of the hostages.”
The longer this drags out, the less likely any hostages will be found alive, if there are even any now.
