Authorities at the Nir Oz kibbutz announced Thursday the death of Judith Weinstein, an American with Israeli citizenship who was captured during Hamas attacks on Oct. 7.
The news of the dual national's death comes a week after the confirmed death of her husband, Gadi Haggai, also captured by Hamas terrorists who attacked the kibbutz in southern Israel. The two are the only two American hostages whose deaths have been confirmed so far.
Una noticia desgarradora 💔
Lamentamos informar que Judith Weinstein de 70 años fue asesinada por los terroristas del #Hamas.
Hace unos días también supimos la triste noticia del asesinato de su esposo Gadi Haggai.
Sus cuerpos están todavía en manos del Hamas en Gaza desde el… pic.twitter.com/XQchWA4n7p— Israel en Español (@IsraelinSpanish) December 28, 2023
According to The Times of Israel, Weinstein and Haggai were at their kibbutz when the attack occurred. Both took refuge in a field near their homes. Israeli authorities managed to recover a video from Weinstein's cell phone, which recorded the final moments before she was captured.
According to media reports, although her death was confirmed, her remains have not been recovered and remain abandoned or in the possession of Hamas terrorists who were holding her captive in the Gaza Strip at the time of her death.
According to The Times of Israel, Weinstein was an English teacher and worked with special needs children. She treated children suffering from anxiety caused by years of rocket fire from Gaza into Israel.
The White House reacted to Weinstein's death. President Joe Biden showed his desolation after the confirmation of the murder at the hands of Hamas:
Jill and I are devastated to learn that American Judy Weinstein is also believed to have been killed by Hamas on October 7. This tragic development cuts deep, coming on the heels of last week’s news that Judy’s beloved husband, Gad Haggai, is believed to have been killed by Hamas.
