Last Canadian Missing After Hamas Attack on Israel Confirmed Killed
Judith Weinstein Haggai, the final Canadian reported missing following the Hamas terrorist group’s attack on Israel, has been confirmed deceased, according to a family member.
Ms. Weinstein Haggai, 70, succumbed to the attack on Oct. 7, and her remains are currently in the Gaza Strip, the base of the Hamas organization. The terrorist assault led to approximately 1,200 casualties and around 240 people being held captive.
In an interview earlier this month, family members revealed that Ms. Weinstein Haggai and her husband, Gadi Haggai, 73, were on a morning walk when Hamas initiated its attack on Oct. 7. A terrorist on a motorcycle reportedly shot Mr. Haggai while Ms. Weinstein Haggai was also wounded.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed Ms. Weinstein Haggai’s death in a statement posted on the social media platform X on Dec. 28. “It is with a heavy heart that we learned of the passing of Judy Weinstein today, believed to have been killed by Hamas on Oct. 7. I have met with her family, and they have described her as loving, kind, and compassionate. Canada mourns her loss with her family and loved ones,” Ms. Joly wrote.
Originally from New York state, Ms. Weinstein Haggai moved to Toronto at the age of three before later relocating to Israel. She held citizenship in Canada, Israel, and the United States. The couple resided in the Nir Oz kibbutz, a farming community located less than three kilometres from the Gaza Strip.
Israeli officials reported that Ms. Weinstein Haggai’s cellphone signal was detected within Gaza, as disclosed by her family. Last week, officials confirmed Mr. Haggai’s death on Oct. 7. Despite this confirmation, relatives continued to hope for Ms. Weinstein Haggai’s release.
Ali Weinstein, Ms. Weinstein Haggai’s niece living in Toronto, said in a Dec. 4 interview that the family underwent emotional turmoil, experiencing grief, joy for released hostages during a pause in fighting, and fear when Ms. Weinstein Haggai wasn’t among them.
Global Affairs Canada had previously confirmed the deaths of eight Canadians, including one in Lebanon.
In November, officials confirmed the death of Vivian Silver, a Canadian peace activist, believed to have been taken hostage during the Hamas attack in Israel.
Others found dead immediately after the Oct. 7 attack include Ben Mizrachi, 22, of Vancouver, and Alexandre Look, 33, of Montreal, killed at a music festival raided by Hamas terrorists. Additionally, Hamas claimed the lives of dual Israeli-Canadian nationals Netta Epstein, 21; Shir Georgy, 22; and Adi Vital-Kaploun, 33.
Tiferet Lapidot, 22, an Israeli with family ties to Canada, was also present at the music festival and was found dead days later.
News collected from www.theepochtimes.com
