Bodies of husband and wife taken into Gaza by Hamas recovered after special operation by Israeli forces
The bodies of a couple taken into Gaza by Hamas during the 7 October attacks have been recovered by Israeli forces, the country's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced.
He said the bodies of husband and wife Judi Weinstein Haggai, 70, and Gad Haggai, 72, were recovered during a special operation by the Israeli military and the country's security agency, Shin Bet.
Mr Netanyahu said they were killed on 7 October, 2023, and their bodies taken into Gaza by Hamas.
In a statement, he said: "Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families.
"Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed.
"We will not rest or be silent until we return all of our abductees home - the living and the dead alike."
The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum has been campaigning for the safe return of all Israeli citizens held hostage by Hamas.
The hostage families said in a statement: "The return of Judi and Gad is painful and heartbreaking, yet it also brings healing to our uncertainty.
"Their return reminds us all that it is the state's duty to bring everyone home, so that we, the families, together with all the people of Israel, can begin the process of healing and recovery.
"Decision-makers must do everything necessary to reach an agreement that will return all 56 remaining hostages - the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for burial. There is no need to wait another 608 agonising days for this.
"The mission can be completed as early as tomorrow morning. This is what the majority of the Israeli people want."
Most of the hostages returned alive to Israel so far have been released as part of deals with Hamas during two temporary ceasefires in late 2023 and early 2025.
The most recent ceasefire that saw a pause in the fighting and the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners fell apart in March.
Israel has rejected calls for an unconditional or permanent ceasefire, saying Hamas cannot stay in Gaza.
Read more from Sky News:
On Wednesday, the US vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that demanded an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the the war-ravaged territory.
The other 14 countries on the council voted in favor of the draft.
"The United States has been clear: We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza," said Dorothy Shea, acting US ambassador to the UN, ahead of the vote.
She told the council it would also undermine US-led efforts to broker a ceasefire.
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