The bodies of two Israeli hostages have been recovered from the Gaza Strip in a special operation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday.
Judy Weinstein-Haggai and Gadi Haggai, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, were named as the two deceased captives. The married couple were murdered during the Hamas-led invasion on Oct. 7, 2023, and their bodies were taken to Gaza.
The Israel Defence Forces confirmed their deaths in December.
"Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache over this most terrible loss. May their memory be a blessing," Netanyahu said in a statement.
"I wish to thank and express my appreciation to the soldiers and commanders for their determined and successful operation. We will not rest and we will not be silent until we bring all our hostages home—both the living and the fallen," he continued.
The bodies were retrieved from the Khan Yunis area on Wednesday night in a joint operation with the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), the IDF said.
They were murdered and their corpses were taken by the Mujahideen Brigades ("Kataeb al-Mujahideen") terrorist organization, according to the military.
The Mujahideen Brigades collaborates closely with Palestinian Islamic Jihad's armed wing, the Al-Quds Brigades ("Saraya Al-Quds").
"The couple, Judy and Gad, are parents of four, Judy was 70 years old at the time of her death and Gad was 72 years old at the time of his death," the IDF statement added.
The number of hostages—both living and deceased—held in Gaza now stands at 56.
