IDF recovers bodies of US-Israeli couple who were murdered and taken to Gaza on October 7

The bodies of an Israeli couple killed in Hamas’ deadly October 7, 2023 attack and held in Gaza have been returned to Israel. 

‘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,’ President Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Thursday.

‘Judy and Gad were murdered on October 7 and abducted to the Gaza Strip,’ he added.

‘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,’ he added.

Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the deaths of Weinstein and Haggai, both in their early 70s, in December 2023.

The couple were taking an early morning walk near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of October 7 when Hamas militants burst across the border into Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251.

Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the deaths of Weinstein and Haggai, both in their early 70s, in December 2023

The couple were taking an early morning walk near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of October 7 when Hamas militants launched their attack 

In the early hours of the morning, Judi was able to call emergency services and let them know that both she and her husband had been shot and send a message to her family.

The couple were survived by two sons and two daughters and seven grandchildren, the kibbutz said.

Gad was a US-Israeli dual citizen and worked as a cook in the kibbutz dining hall. 

He was also described as a talented musician and had played in the Israel Defense Forces Orchestra during his military service. 

The father-of-two moved to the United States after his army days and used his saxophone skills to pursue a passion for jazz. He returned to Israel several years later, where he met Judi and the two got married. 

After he and Judi were taken hostage, their son Ahl pleaded for their safe return. 

He said he had seen his parents just three days before the terrorist attacks, and fondly recalled his final interaction with his parents, who he called his ‘inspiration.’ 

‘Dad and I always argued about every subject under the sun,’ he said. ‘And on that Wednesday when they came to visit us, he said ‘not today, let’s not argue’… and we parted with a hug.’

Judi was able to call emergency services and let them know that both she and her husband had been shot and send a message to her family

He said he found out about the October 7 attacks as he was woken up by a phone call from his sister, but he said at that point he ‘didn’t yet know there were terrorists in the kibbutz.’

‘I tried to call my parents, my mom’s phone rang once and it disconnected,’ he continued. ‘Dad’s phone rang three times and it disconnected.’

‘The situation became clear to me, that the kibbutz is under attack and people are being murdered, homes set on fire.

‘On Sunday we were informed that their phones pinged in Gaza… it’s awful, I feel that I’m stuck in the same place and the world goes on.

‘In some ways, I don’t have my home. I ask the Israeli government, the countries of the world, Hamas, Qatar, whoever is involved, bring my parents home.’

The return of the couples’ bodies to Israel comes days after Hamas said it is willing to release 10 living Israeli hostages and hand over the bodies of 18 others in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but only if key amendments are made to a US-backed ceasefire plan that Israel has already accepted.

In a dramatic development earlier this week, the terror group submitted its counterproposal to a framework drawn up by Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East.

While the response stopped short of outright rejection, it has been widely condemned as a stalling tactic amid mounting international pressure. 

This is a breaking story, more to follow.