Israeli-American dual citizen Judy Weinstein, 70, was killed during the barbaric Hamas terror attacks on Israel on October 7, revealed Kibbutz Nir Oz on Thursday.
The body of the grandmother of seven, alongside her deceased husband Gadi Haggai, 73, is being held in the Gaza strip in the custody of Hamas.
The elderly couple who lived on the peaceful Kibbutz near the Israeli southern border with Gaza were injured during Hamas’ surprise attack on Saturday, October 7 and taken into terrorist custody.
Weinstein had called the security center of the kibbutz to let them know her husband had been greivously injured. Medical personnel were dispatched in their direction but were intercepted by the full onslaught of the Hamas attack.
Judy Weinstein and Gadi Haggai were taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7
In a statement on Thursday, their kibbutz revealed that Judy had been killed alongside her huband during the attack and that their bodies are being held by Hamas
In a statement the kibbutz said: ‘Kibbutz Nir Oz announces with heavy mourning the murder of Judy Weinstein Hagai. Judy was 70 years old, a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz. Mother of 4, grandmother of 7 grandchildren.’
Weinstein was an english teacher who specialized in teaching children with special needs who struggled to pay attention in the classroom.
She was also described by the kibbutz as a ‘poet’ and ‘entrepreneur,’ who loved to ‘create’ and was ‘dedicated to working for peace and brotherhood.’
The murdered couple left behind two sons and two daughters.
According to Israeli outlet Haaretz, Judy was able to call a kibbutz member for help after their abduction, and told them she had been shot in the arm while Gadi had been shot in the head and was ‘critically injured.’
An estimated 60 percent of the population of Kibbutz Nir Oz was kiled or taken hostage during the attack on October 7.
It remains unclear how the kibbutz concluded that Weinstein was killed during the initial assault.
Weinstein was born in New York state and moved to Toronto at the age of three. Twenty years later she moved to Israel where she married her husband, a musician and and chef.
A statement from US President Joe Biden read: ‘This tragic development cuts deep, coming on the heels of last week’s news that Judith’s beloved husband, Gad Haggai, is believed to have been killed by Hamas.
‘We are holding Judith and Gad’s four children, seven grandchildren, and other loved ones close to our hearts. I will never forget what their daughter, and the family members of other Americans held hostage in Gaza, have shared with me.
‘They have been living through hell for weeks. No family should have to endure such an ordeal. And I reaffirm the pledge we have made to all the families of those still held hostage: we will not stop working to bring them home.’
Weinstein, 70, was an english teacher who specialized in teaching children with special needs who struggled to pay attention in the classroom
Members of the media visit Kfar Aza in the aftermath of the deadly Hamas attack
The body of a Hamas militant lies on the ground at the Kfar Aza Kibbutz in Israel in the days following the October 7 massacre
President Joe Biden issued a statement last week to say he was ‘heartbroken’ by the news that Haggai was likely murdered.
‘Jill and I are heartbroken by the news that American Gad Haggai is now believed to have been killed by Hamas on October 7,’ President Biden said.
‘We continue to pray for the well-being and safe return of his wife, Judy. Their daughter joined by phone my meeting with the families of hostages last week.
‘Those families bravely shared with me the harrowing ordeal that they have endured over the past months as they await news of their loved ones. It’s intolerable.
‘Today, we are praying for their four children, seven grandchildren, and other loved ones and are grieving this tragic news with them.
‘And I reaffirm the pledge we have made to all the families of those still held hostage: we will not stop working to bring them home.’
The pair were among 240 people seized during the October 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas.
About six Americans are still believed to be hostages of Hamas.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk