Two bodies of Israeli-American hostages from the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, were recovered.
The remains of Judih Weinstein and Gad Haggai were returned to Israel on Thursday morning by the Israeli army, according to the Associated Press. Both Weinstein, 70, and Haggai, 72, have Israeli and U.S. citizenship. Weinstein also had Canadian citizenship.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced their bodies were recovered in a special mission conducted by the army and Shin Bet internal security agency.
“Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed.”
The married couple were killed while taking a walk on the morning of Oct. 7 in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Both were shot during the attack, the Associated Press reported. Weinstein was able to contact emergency services, inform them of their conditions, and send a message to their family.
They were taken to Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades, according to reports.
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Weinstein and Haggai are survived by their four children and seven grandchildren, according to reports. Iris Haggai Liniado, their daughter, posted a message on Facebook honoring her parents.
“My beautiful parents have been freed,” she said. “We have certainty.”