On June 5, 2025, Israel’s military announced the recovery of two bodies belonging to hostages who had been taken back to Gaza during a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The victims, identified as Judi Weinstein Haggai, 70, who also held Canadian citizenship, and her husband Gadi Haggai, 72, were tragically killed during the assault on Kibbutz Nir Oz. The Israeli Defence Forces confirmed that their remains were discovered in the Khan Younis area of southern Gaza overnight and subsequently retrieved for forensic identification.
The couple’s deaths were a part of the wider context of violence that took place in 2023. The military stated that there are still 56 individuals believed to be hostages in Gaza, with at least 20 thought to be alive. As the situation continues to unfold, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences to the Haggai family, reflecting on the profound loss they have experienced. He conveyed his personal grief, stating, “Our hearts grieve over this terrible loss. May their memories be blessed.” Furthermore, Netanyahu hailed the military operation that brought back the Haggai couple’s bodies as a demonstration of commitment to recovering all Israeli hostages, whether living or deceased.
According to the families of Judi and Gadi, the couple had gone out for a routine walk on that ill-fated Saturday morning, completely unaware of the devastation that was about to unfold. Their families welcomed the news of the recovery of their bodies, finding solace in the fact that they could now be laid to rest properly back in Israel.
Judi was an English teacher while Gadi had previously worked in the kitchen of Kibbutz Nir Oz. They were reportedly last heard from through a video shared during the beginning of the attack. In the video, they could be seen seeking shelter while rockets rained from Gaza and gunfire echoed nearby. Tragically, after a brief communication indicating that they had sustained injuries due to the attack, contact was lost. Their daughter, Iris Weinstein Haggai, recounted that her mother informed her of being shot at with her father being gravely injured. Attempts to send them medical help were thwarted when the ambulance intended for them was struck by incoming rocket fire.
In later official communication by the Israeli military, it was revealed that the couple’s recovery operation was the result of valuable intelligence gathered by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security service. The details surrounding the operation were kept tightly under wraps due to its sensitive nature. However, it was reported that the information leading to the location of their bodies had stemmed from the interrogation of a Palestinian fighter captured during Israeli operations in Gaza.
Moreover, discussions regarding the ongoing crisis have underscored strong sentiments among families of the captives, urging leaders to negotiate a new ceasefire with Hamas in order to secure the release of remaining hostages. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum emphasized the urgency of the situation by declaring there was no reason to wait further for a resolution, advocating for immediate actions to fulfill the desires of the majority of Israeli citizens.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Israel has sustained a military campaign in Gaza, provoked by the unprecedented October 2023 attack, which resulted in a staggering loss of life and numerous hostages. As the military continues its operations, humanitarian conditions remain dire in Gaza, and the civilian population is being severely impacted by such developments. The situation is complex, with ongoing discussions about ceasefire negotiations appearing strained, as each side presents firm demands that remain largely unaddressed.
The tragic recovery of Judi and Gadi Haggai’s bodies serves as a stark reminder of the conflict’s human cost and the ongoing struggle faced by the families of hostages still unaccounted for. As tensions persist, the calls for peace and resolution resonate louder than ever amidst the backdrop of grief and loss from both sides.