Bodies of Judy Weinstein and Gadi Haggai, Nir Oz couple kidnapped on October 7, finally returned home

In the early hours of the morning, the IDF and the Shin Bet recovered the bodies of the hostages, 70-year-old Judy Weinstein and her 72-year-old husband Gadi Haggai, who were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. They left behind four children and seven grandchildren.

The operation was made possible following the interrogations of terrorists and intelligence information brought by the Shin Bet. IDF forces currently maneuvering in Khan Yunis managed to reach the place where the bodies were hidden, under the direction of the Shin Bet. This morning, the identification process was carried out at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, and IDF officers arrived at the families of the fallen abductees and informed the families.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement this morning (Thursday): "In a special operation by the Shin Bet and the IDF in the Gaza Strip, the bodies of two of our abductees held by the murderous Hamas terror organization were returned to Israel: Judy Weinstein-Haggai and Gadi Haggai from Kibbutz Nir Oz, may their memory be blessed. Judy and Gadi were murdered on October 7 and kidnapped to the Gaza Strip. Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I convey our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. My heart aches for the worst loss of all. May their memory be blessed.

"I would like to thank and appreciate the fighters and commanders for their determined and successful execution.

We will not rest and will not rest until we bring home all our abductees, both life and the fallen."

In December 2023, the family received the difficult news that Gadi Hagai had been murdered in the massacre and his body had been kidnapped to the Gaza Strip. About a week later, it turned out that his wife's fate was similar. The kibbutz describes Gadi as a gifted wind instrument player from the age of 3, connected to the land, a chef and a follower of a healthy vegan diet and sports. Judy treated the children with anxiety due to the situation in the Gaza envelope using meditation and mindfulness methods. A poet, an entrepreneur, she loves to create and is dedicated to working for peace and brotherhood.

Gadi, who grew up in Ein HaShofet, taught himself to play music even before he stepped into first grade. He was recruited for a combat role in the army, but eventually found his calling in the IDF orchestra. Gadi was a special musician in the Israeli landscape, playing a significant role in the development of jazz culture in the country. In his youth, he performed with the 'Jazz Union' band across the country and in Europe. They would play and explain the music to the audience.

As a couple with small children, the family moved to Nir Oz, and Gadi transitioned to cooking, becoming the kibbutz chef. He took the music in his life to other places. In recent years, he and Judy had retired, and on October 7, they went out for their regular morning walk. When the terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz, they were the first to encounter them. Judy managed to call MDA, scream for help, report that she had been shot in the arm and that her husband had been shot in the head, and even document the beginning of the attack.