On Thursday, Israel successfully recovered the bodies of two hostages who were taken during the massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, an event that led to the current conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced on X that Gadi Haggai and Judy Weinstein-Haggai’s remains were returned through a special operation conducted by the army and the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency.

Netanyahu expressed his condolences, stating, “Alongside all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I offer our deepest sympathies to the cherished families. Our hearts break for this profound loss. May their memory be a blessing.”

In this image made from a video released by the Israeli Government Press Office, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement Tuesday, March 18, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Israeli Government Press Office via AP)

Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the deaths of Weinstein and Haggai, both in their early 70s, in December 2023. 

The couple were taking an early morning walk near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of Oct. 7 when Hamas militants burst across the border into Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251.

In the early hours of the morning, Weinstein was able to call emergency services and let them know that both she and her husband had been shot and send a message to her family.

The couple were survived by two sons and two daughters and seven grandchildren, the kibbutz said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.