Latest news with #JudithWeinstein
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Israel recovers two hostage bodies from Gaza
Shafaq News/ Israel's military announced, on Thursday, it had recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages from Gaza, nearly two years after their abduction in the October 7 Hamas-led attack. The remains of Judith Weinstein, 70, and Gad Haggai, 72—residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz—were retrieved overnight in Khan Younis during a joint operation by the Israeli army and Shin Bet. Both were believed killed during the initial attack and taken into Gaza by the Mujahideen Brigades, a Hamas-affiliated group. Their deaths were confirmed by their community in December 2023. The October 7 assault, which followed years of blockade and military pressure, left about 1,200 dead in Israel and resulted in 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched a broad military campaign that has killed over 54,000 Palestinians—mostly women and children. To date, Israel has rescued eight hostages alive and recovered several bodies. Officials estimate that 56 hostages remain in Gaza, with roughly one-third believed to be alive. Meanwhile, Israel holds around 10,400 Palestinians, including 49 women and 440 minors, according to the Palestinian rights group Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. Ceasefire efforts remain stalled. Mediation by the US, Egypt, and Qatar collapsed after a March agreement unraveled. Hamas continues to demand a permanent ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected those terms, vowing to press on until all hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled or expelled. He has also pushed for long-term Israeli control over Gaza and endorsed 'voluntary emigration'—a stance widely condemned by Palestinian officials and global rights groups.
Roya News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Bodies of two captives recovered from Gaza, says 'Israeli' army
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) announced on Thursday the recovery of the bodies of two captives, Gadi Haggai and Judith Weinstein, from Gaza. The couple, who were Captured during the October 7th events from the Nir Oz kibbutz settlement. In a statement, 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, 'During a special operation carried out by Shin Bet (the Israeli internal security service) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the Gaza Strip, the bodies of two of our hostages held by the murderous terrorist organization Hamas were transferred to Israel: Judith Weinstein Haggai and Gadi Haggai from Kibbutz Nir Oz.' He added, 'Judith and Gadi were killed on October 7 and kidnapped to Gaza.' He added that the Hamas Brigades held the bodies of Weinstein and Haggai after they were killed during the events of October 7th, and the bodies were transferred to Gaza. Netanyahu stated that their deaths were confirmed in December 2023. Following the retrieval, the bodies underwent identification at the National Center of Forensic Medicine in coordination with the 'Israeli' Police. The authorities notified the family and the community of Nir Oz.
DW
3 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Gaza: Israel says it recovered bodies of two hostages – DW – 06/05/2025
06/05/2025 June 5, 2025 Israel recovers bodies of two hostages Israel on Thursday announced that it had recovered the bodies of two of its citizens taken hostage by the Islamist militant group Hamas — which is labeled a terror organization by Israel, the US and many other nations — on October 7, 2023. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu identified the bodies as those of Judith Weinstein (70) and Gad Haggai (72). The couple was initially pronounced dead in December 2023. The two were kidnapped at Kibbutz Nir Oz while on an early morning walk. Weinstein was able to call Israeli emergency services before she disappeared, saying that both she and her husband had been shot. Hamas militants killed some 1,200 people on October 7. Of the 251 individuals taken by the group, 56 remain under their control. Around a third of those hostages are thought to be alive. Many have been released in exchanges between Israel and Hamas, and eight were rescued alive by Israeli forces.
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- General
- Al Bawaba
Israeli army retrieves bodies of 2 hostages from Gaza
Published June 5th, 2025 - 06:55 GMT ALBAWABA - The Israeli army confirmed on Thursday that it had found the bodies of two hostages, Judith Weinstein and her husband, Gadi Haggai, who were taken by Hamas fighters in October 2023. "In a special operation by the (security agency) and the (military) in the Gaza Strip, the bodies of two of our hostages held by the murderous terrorist organisation Hamas were returned to Israel: Judy Weinstein-Haggai and Gad Haggai from Kibbutz Nir Oz, may their memory be blessed," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. The army revealed it conducted a special operation in collaboration with intelligence from the Shin Bet. Judith Weinstein and Gadi Haggai died in December 2023, The Jerusalem Post reported. Weinstein and Haggai both had US citizenship, and Haggai additionally held Canadian citizenship. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
