NY native held hostage in Gaza has been killed — Hamas terrorists nonetheless holding physique

Information

Israel warfare 2023

By Melissa Koenig

A New York native who was being held captive by Hamas terrorists within the Gaza Strip has been killed, and her physique continues to be being held by the terrorists, it was confirmed Thursday.

Judi Weinstein Haggai, 70, died on account of accidents she sustained when terrorists invaded Kibbutz Nir Ounceson Oct. 7, the kibbutz introduced.

She and her husband had been taking their standard stroll outdoors the kibbutz when armed Hamas militants on bikes ambushed them that morning, kin stated.

Information of her demise comes only one week after officers confirmed her husband, Gadi Haggai, 73, was killed in captivity.

Weinstein, a local of Goshen in upstate New York, moved to Israel 30 years in the past, in search of solace within the Jewish state — till Hamas’ shock terror assault on Oct. 7 shattered their peaceable existence.

She labored as an English instructor who specialised in working with youngsters with particular wants and a spotlight and focus issues, in line with Israel Nationwide Information.

Keep on prime of stories out of the Israel-Hamas warfare and the worldwide surge in antisemitism with The Submit’s Israel Battle Replace, delivered proper to your inbox each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Weinstein additionally helped youngsters who suffered from anxiousness and melancholy resulting from dwelling below the specter of rockets from Gaza.

Her household described her as a peaceable individual — a vegan who wrote day by day haikus, CNN reported.

However her world turned the wrong way up in the course of the Hamas terrorist assault, when Weinstein knowledgeable a kibbutz member she had been shot within the arm and was wounded within the face and Haggai had been shot within the head, in line with Haaretz.

Shortly earlier than the couple was believed to be taken hostage, Weinstein was additionally capable of textual content her daughter in Singapore. A paramedic later advised the couple’s youngsters that she had referred to as for medical assist — however they misplaced contact along with her.

“She stated they had been shot by terrorists on a motorbike and that my dad was wounded actually dangerous,” Iris Weinstein Haggai advised the Instances of Israel.

“Paramedics tried to ship her an ambulance. The ambulance obtained hit by a rocket.”

The household had not heard from the aged couple since.

“We all know that they had been badly wounded. We all know that [Weinstein] nonetheless had the cellphone along with her to have the ability to name and ask for assist and supply particulars. However ever since then, we misplaced all contact with them,” the couple’s niece, Ofri Haggai, 47, advised The Submit final month.

The cellphone was discovered hours later by the Israeli navy — elevating hope that the couple might need been among the many greater than 220 Israelis taken hostage in the course of the brutal assault, as an alternative of amongst these killed, she added.

Relations had pushed for Weinstein to be launched, and initially thought she might be among the many 50 girls and youngsters let out below a deal final month.

However she by no means got here residence, and was believed to be the final remaining American girl held hostage within the Gaza Strip. Six different Americans, all males, additionally stay in captivity.

The Haggais depart behind 4 youngsters and 7 grandchildren.