Staff Reports
An American Israeli with strong ties to New York has tragically become the first US citizen to be confirmed dead while being held captive by Hamas terrorists. Gadi Haggai, 73, was senselessly murdered by these terrorists, while his 70-year-old wife, Judi Weinstein, remains in their clutches. The families’ group representing the hostages and missing persons has revealed this devastating news, shaking the hearts of many across the nation.
First American to die in Hamas captivity has NY ties; wife remains held by terrorists https://t.co/8jmsjZq28g via @nypost
— SCRIBEMOON (@SCRIBEMOON) December 22, 2023
Gadi Haggai was known for his infectious humor and love for music, being a talented flautist who once played in the IDF Orchestra. On a fateful morning stroll outside Kibbutz Nir Oz, he and his wife were ambushed by armed terrorists on motorcycles, leaving him fatally wounded and his wife taken captive. The pain of this loss has reverberated not just in Israel, but also in the tight-knit New York community that Haggai was a part of.
Despite the family’s frantic search efforts, Haggai’s body remains in Palestinian territory, while his wife’s whereabouts continue to be a source of anguish. The cruel actions of these radical Hamas terrorists have left a gaping hole in the lives of the Haggai family and the American Israeli community at large.
The tragedy does not end with the Haggais, as there are still 129 individuals in captivity in the Gaza Strip, according to Israel’s official count. Of these captives, 22 are confirmed dead, including several with US citizenship. This heartbreaking reality underscores the barbarity of the Hamas terrorists and the urgent need for justice to be served.
The United States Embassy has yet to issue a statement on this distressing development, but it is imperative that the US government takes swift and decisive action to ensure the safe return of Judi Weinstein and all other American hostages held by these terrorists. The pain of Gadi Haggai’s senseless murder underscores the ruthless nature of radical terrorism and the pressing need for unwavering resolve in combating it.
