A 73-year-old American Israeli with deep ties to New York has become the first US citizen confirmed to have died while being held hostage by Hamas terrorists, it was announced Friday.
Gadi Haggai, 73, was murdered by the terrorists who are still thought to be holding his 70-year-old wife, Judi Weinstein, according to the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum representing the families.
“Gadi was a man full of humor who knew how to make those around him laugh,” the families’ group told the Times of Israel.
“A musician at heart, a gifted flautist, he played in the IDF Orchestra and was involved with music his whole life.”
Haggai was taking his usual morning stroll outside Kibbutz Nir Oz with his wife early Oct. 7 when they were ambushed by armed terrorists on motorcycles, their relatives in New York previously told The Post.
Kibbutz Nir Oz also said Friday that he has been confirmed murdered. His body is still in the Palestinian territory.
According to Israel’s official tally, 129 people are still in captivity in the Gaza Strip.
Of those, 22 are dead, the Israeli government says.
The forum said that between five and 10 of the hostages hold US citizenship. The US Embassy had no immediate comment.
