The American woman believed to have been held hostage by Hamas was actually killed in the October 7 attack, the spokesperson says.

A 70-year-old US citizen, believed to have been taken into Gaza hostage by Hamas on October 7, was actually killed during the initial attack, according to a statement issued Thursday by the kibbutz from which she was taken.

Judi Weinstein Haggai, an Israeli, American, and Canadian citizen, was shot in the attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz along with her husband, Gadi Haggai, 72, who holds dual American and Israeli citizenship. They are both believed to have been taken hostage, however Israeli officials said last week that they had confirmed this The death of Gadi Hajji.

According to a spokesman Kibbutz Nir OzWhere the couple lives, Jodi Weinstein Haggai was also “fatally wounded” by Hamas gunmen in the October 7 attack.

The spokesman said he believed the two bodies were still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

The statement said that Weinstein Hajji is a mother of four and a grandmother of seven, and teaches English to children with special needs, and described her as a poet and entrepreneur who “has pursued many initiatives to promote peace in the region.”

President Biden said, in a statement issued by the White House:

“Jill and I were devastated to learn that American Judi Weinstein was also believed to have been murdered by Hamas on October 7. This tragic development has a profound impact, and follows last week’s news that Judi’s beloved husband, Gad Hajji, is believed to have been murdered. He was killed. They were killed by Hamas. We hold Jodi and Jad's four children, seven grandchildren, and other loved ones close to our hearts. I will never forget what their daughter and other American family members shared as hostages in Gaza. “They have been living in hell for weeks. No family should have to endure such an ordeal. “I reaffirm the pledge we made to all the families of those still being held hostage: that we will not stop working to bring them home.”

Weinstein Haggai had family ties to the New York area. Governor Kathy Hochul chirp: “My heart breaks to learn that Judith Weinstein was killed during the October 7 attack. My heart goes out to her family abroad and those still here in New York. I hope her memory is a blessing and that the many hostages still in captivity are returned home safely.”

Senator Chuck Schumer described the news as “devastating.” “I am sad and praying for them. We must continue working to return the hostages to their homeland. We cannot wait,” he added. books.

the couple her daughter Iris told CBS News In late November, she saw video evidence of her father's murder, and said at the time she had no updates on her mother.

“The hostages that were released didn't see it. They didn't hear about it,” she told CBS News, as dozens of hostages were released as part of a release operation. Temporary ceasefire. “I have no proof of my mother's life. Nothing.”

Israel said about 250 people were taken hostage by Hamas and other militants who overran towns in southern Israel near the Gaza border on October 7, killing about 1,200 people, most of them civilians. Israel vowed to eliminate Hamas and responded with a major military attack on Gaza, which is still ongoing and has already occurred At least 21,000 people were killed In the region, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health.

A temporary ceasefire in November led to the release of 105 hostages – Israelis and some foreigners – in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons. According to Israeli authorities, about 129 people are still being held hostage in Gaza.