BIDEN: HAMAS KILLED AMERICAN JUDITH WEINSTEIN ON OCTOBER 7TH

President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that Judith Weinstein, a dual American-Israeli citizen believed to have been abducted by Hamas, was killed during the Palestinian Islamist group’s attack on Israel on October 7. Weinstein, 70, was also the last missing Canadian from the attack. Her husband, Gadi Haggai, 73, was confirmed to have been killed during the attack last week. Biden expressed his devastation at the news.

This heart-wrenching development compounds the tragic loss reported last week, when Judith’s cherished husband, Gad Haggai, was believed to have been taken by Hamas,” Biden expressed in a statement, reiterating his commitment to pursue the release of all remaining captives held by Hamas.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly joined in mourning the loss of Judith Weinstein, a Canadian-American citizen believed to have been killed by Hamas in Gaza.

While working in the US Virgin Islands, President Biden expressed his solidarity and recalled his recent meeting with the family members of Americans held hostage in Gaza, including the couple’s daughter. He emphasized that no family should suffer such an ordeal, reiterating his commitment to securing the release of remaining captives.

President Biden and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan have been closely involved in addressing the hostage situation, according to administration officials. Biden has been in frequent contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Emir of Qatar to facilitate the safe release of the captives.

On October 7, Hamas launched attacks on Israeli kibbutzim, border towns, and a music festival, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 240 individuals taken hostage and brought to Gaza, based on Israeli reports. The ongoing conflict has led to a significant loss of life, with over 21,000 Palestinians killed, as stated by Gaza health authorities.

Out of the total hostages, 110 were released during a brief ceasefire in late November, while 23 more have now been declared deceased in absentia, according to an Israeli government spokesperson’s statement on Thursday. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum estimated that between five to 10 of the captives hold United States citizenship.