The our bodies of Gadi Hagai and Judy Weinstein Hagai, who have been murdered by Hamas terrorists in the course of the October 7 assault have been recovered from Gaza and returned to Israel on Wednesday evening after 607 days.
“My lovely mother and father have been launched. We’ve got certainty,” wrote daughter Iris on social media. “We welcome the closing of the circle and their return to a correct burial at dwelling, in Israel. We need to thank the IDF and safety forces who have been concerned within the complicated rescue operation and for combating for us for greater than a yr and a half. Nevertheless, our hearts won’t be complete till all 12 hostages from Nir Ozare returned, and all 56 hostages in complete.”
Gadi Hagai, 72, and Judy Weinstein Hagai, 70, have been each longtime residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Gadi, a twin US-Israeli citizen, was described as “a pointy man, a gifted wind instrument participant because the age of three,” a chef who left his place on the Dan Resort in Tel Aviv to handle Nir Ozs eating corridor, and a dedicated vegan who liked sports activities and the land. He had served within the IDF’s elite Sayeret Shaked unit earlier than becoming a member of the military orchestra. Within the Eighties, he based a band known as Brit Jazz. After the couple’s abduction, the household launched a number of the band’s recordings.
Judy immigrated to Israel from Toronto age 24 and met Gadi at Kibbutz Ein HaShofet. A twin Canadian-Israeli citizen, she later grew to become an English trainer with a deal with youngsters with particular wants and anxiousness, and had just lately studied mindfulness to assist youngsters by puppet theater. She was remembered as a “poet, entrepreneur, and peace activist.”
“We’re grateful to see them introduced dwelling for a correct burial in Israel,” the kibbutz stated. “But our hearts stay incomplete till all 12 hostages from Nir Oz — and all 56 hostages nonetheless held — return dwelling.”
President Isaac Herzog known as the second “one among deep ache, but in addition one among solace and the decision of uncertainty.” In a press release, he stated: “Judih and Gadi have been murdered and kidnapped collectively from their dwelling within the peace-loving Kibbutz Nir Oz – the place the place they lived, raised a big household, and constructed their lives. Now, due to the rescue operation, they are going to be laid to relaxation collectively in dignity, within the land they so deeply liked.”
The couple was killed in the course of the preliminary Hamas assault on Nir Oz. Whereas taking one among their routine morning walks, they encountered a terrorist squad within the fields. They have been shot and kidnapped to Gaza. Military intelligence confirmed their deaths in December 2023.
Based on the Israel Protection Forces and the Israel Safety Company (Shin Guess), the couple’s stays have been held by the Al Mujahideen Brigades, the identical group chargeable for the kidnapping of Yarden and Shiri Bibas and their two youngsters, Ariel and Kfir.
The Hagais are survived by 4 youngsters and 7 grandchildren.
At the least 1,180 folks have been killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners have been taken hostage in Hamas’s assaults on Israeli communities close to the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 56 remaining hostages, 33 are believed to be useless.
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