President Joe Biden released a statement Friday on the death of an Israeli and U.S. citizen who was found to have been killed by Hamas during its initial terrorist attack on Oct. 7.
“Jill and I are heartbroken by the news that American Gad Haggai is now believed to have been killed by Hamas on October 7,” he said in a statement.
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“We continue to pray for the well-being and safe return of his wife, Judy,” he added.
Haggai was originally thought to be one of the hostages being held alive in Gaza by Hamas. But Friday, Kibbutz Nir Oz announced that its resident, 73 year old Haggai, was actually killed during Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack. It said his body is still being held by the group.
According to the Kibbutz, he was “a sharp person, a gifted musician from the age of three, a chef and a follower of a healthy vegan diet.”
In his reaction, Biden revealed the couple’s daughter was present during a phone meeting with hostage families last week. According tot he president, the families revealed the “harrowing ordeal that they have endured” since Hamas’s attack on Israel.
“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,” he continued.
Judith and Gad were reportedly on a morning walk near their southern Israel home when the unanticipated Hamas attack began. Since last being seen on their walk, the couple had been thought to be among those held hostage in Gaza as the war continues.
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Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) also released a statement Friday following the news. “I am heartbroken and filled with sorrow by the tragic news that Gad Haggai, an American citizen, is now believed to have been murdered by Hamas,” he said.
“His body remains in Gaza. We join his family in mourning the egregious loss of life that has taken place and pray for all those who remain captive. The safe return of Gad’s wife Judi and of every hostage must continue to be a top priority,” Jeffries added.
