The president of United States, Joe Bidenmourned this Friday the death of Gad Haggai, an American and Israeli citizen who was believed to be kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza but who was actually killed in the October 7 attack.
In a statement, the president said that he and the American first lady, Jill Bidenare “heartbroken by the news that Hamas is now believed to have killed American Gad Haggai on October 7.”
Haggai’s wife, the Canadian Judy Weinsteinis still kidnapped by the Islamist group, which is why Biden stated that he is praying for the “well-being and safe return” of the woman.
A daughter of Haggai and Weinstein participated last week in a telephone meeting that the American president had with relatives of Hamas hostages.
““These families shared with me the terrible experience they have gone through in recent months waiting for news of their loved ones.”Biden explained in the statement.
The president said that this situation is “intolerable” and reaffirmed his “commitment” that he will not stop working until the kidnapped people can return to their homes.
Until now it was believed that Gadi Haggai, 73 years old, remained kidnapped by Hamas, but was actually killed on October 7 in the Palestinian Islamist group’s attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, near the Strip, and his body was taken to Gaza, reported the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
The Hamas attack against Israel left 1,200 dead and 250 kidnapped, which led to an offensive by the Israeli Army against the Gaza Strip that has left more than 20,000 dead so far.
At the end of November, Israel and Hamas agreed to a truce that lasted for a week, in which the group handed over 105 hostages (24 foreigners) in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails.
