Israel recovers bodies of 2 American-Israeli hostages from Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a significant announcement on Thursday morning, revealing that Israeli forces successfully retrieved the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages who were being held by Hamas. The victims, Judy Weinstein-Hagi, 70, and Gadi Hagi, 72, were a couple from kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza border. Both individuals held dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, with Judy also being a Canadian citizen.

The bodies of Judy and Gadi were recovered from the Khan Younis area in the southern Gaza Strip through a special operation conducted by the Israel Defense Forces and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). Prime Minister Netanyahu disclosed that the couple had been killed during an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and their bodies were subsequently abducted. The IDF had determined that they were killed on the same day as Hamas’ surprise attack, carried out by the terror group Kitab al-Mujahidin, which had also abducted and killed Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas along with her two children.

Netanyahu expressed determination in ensuring the safe return of all abducted individuals, emphasizing, “We will not rest or be silent until we return all of our abductees home — the living and the dead alike.” Currently, there are 56 hostages still held in Gaza, with 20 believed to be alive. Among the 36 individuals presumed deceased, two Americans, Itay Chen and Omer Neutra, are included.

The recovery of the bodies of Judy Weinstein-Hagi and Gadi Hagi marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to bring closure to the families of the victims and to address the issue of hostage-taking in the region. The Israeli government’s commitment to securing the release of all abductees underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals caught in such perilous situations.

ABC News’ Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.