President Joe Biden mentioned Friday he was “heartbroken” by stories that American Gad Haggai was allegedly killed by the Palestinian group Hamas throughout the Oct. 7 assault on Israel.
It was beforehand believed that Haggai, a 73-year-old holder of American and Israeli passports, was taken hostage alongside along with his spouse.
“Jill and I are heartbroken by the information that American Gad Haggai is now believed to have been killed by Hamas on October seventh. We proceed to hope for the well-being and protected return of his spouse Judy,” the president mentioned in an announcement launched by the White Home.
In keeping with the Israeli publication Haaretz, Jutit Weinstein, Haggai’s spouse, remains to be being held hostage within the Gaza Strip.
Biden’s assertion didn’t present different particulars about what occurred to Haggai.
“Right now we pray for and mourn with them their 4 kids, seven grandchildren and different family members over this tragic information,” Biden mentioned in an announcement.
In keeping with Israeli estimates, the Hamas assault on October 7 killed 1,200 folks and took 240 folks hostage to Gaza. Israel’s response operation in Gaza has killed greater than 20,000 folks, in keeping with the Hamas-run Gaza Strip Well being Ministry.
“(Haggai) will likely be remembered as a gifted man with a eager thoughts and love for wind devices, which he performed from early childhood. He was a proficient prepare dinner and lived a wholesome, lively life-style along with his spouse Judy,” his household mentioned in an announcement printed by Haaretz.
“We mourn the lack of our father and grandfather and proceed to hope and pray that his physique will likely be returned to us and that Judy remains to be alive and we will likely be reunited quickly,” the assertion mentioned.