Family Holds onto Hope as Last American Woman Held by Hamas Remains in Captivity

The family of Judi Weinstein Haggai and Gad Haggai has spent the last 11 weeks desperately praying for the safe return of their loved ones, who are American citizens and believed to be held hostage by Hamas.

Tragically, it was reported on Friday that Gad Haggai, a 73-year-old Israeli American, has died while in Hamas captivity. Despite this devastating news, Judi's family continues to hold onto hope that she will one day be released from captivity.

Andrea Weinstein, Judi's sister, expressed her hope in an interview with CNN this week that Judi will be released and receive the necessary medical attention. She longs for Judi to come home so they can support her in healing from the horrific situation she has endured. Judi, aged 70 and holding Israeli, American, and Canadian citizenship, is the last American woman believed to be held hostage in Gaza, with six other American men also remaining in captivity.

Initial reports suggested that Judi might be included in the hostage exchange for Hamas to release 50 women and children as agreed upon last month. However, despite the release of two Americans, Judi was not among them. Israel has proposed a one-week ceasefire in exchange for the return of 35 hostages, but Hamas is refusing to negotiate any prisoner swaps until Israel ends its military operation, according to a report by CNN on Friday.

Although US officials believe there is a potential for more hostages to be freed, it seems that Judi's family is left with no choice but to wait.

Weinstein, who resides in New Haven, Connecticut, expressed anguish at the thought of someone harming her peaceful, loving, and generous sister and her husband, stating, "Our hearts are breaking. It's just unconscionable." She also found it difficult to comprehend the situation and the harm they have faced. Judi's 95-year-old mother conveyed her worry and concern in a statement to CNN, expressing her unbearable anguish at not knowing if Judi is alive and if she is being held hostage.

The family has been requesting more information about Judi's whereabouts and condition, but unfortunately, very little is known at this time. Iris Haggai Liniado, her daughter, has been in contact with Israeli and US officials since the October 7 attack. She even had a Zoom meeting with President Joe Biden earlier this month.

11 weeks of anxiety

Judi and Gad, residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz near the Gaza border for many years, were out for their regular morning walk on October 7. They messaged their family WhatsApp group, reporting that they were lying in a field and watching rockets fly overhead as the Hamas attack on Israel began.

The family later discovered that Judi had contacted the kibbutz paramedic to report that the couple had been shot by militants on a motorcycle, with Gad being more seriously injured and in need of help. Unfortunately, the ambulance had been destroyed. Judi then made a recorded call to Israel's emergency services, providing details of the incident. According to Weinstein, no one was able to rescue them at that point, and the family has had no contact with them since October 7th.

The Haggai family described Gad, a father of four and grandfather of seven, as a talented man with a sharp mind and a passion for wind instruments, which he had played since childhood.

Recently, the family released two songs that Gad had recorded in the 1980s. Haggai Liniado, who created the artwork for the digital release, shared the songs with CNN. He pointed out that the lyrics in Gad's song "Big Man" were eerily similar to the events of October 7th, where the words "Here in the fields, we are full of fear. People are dying, and birds aren't flying" resonated deeply.

Judis family portrays her as a serene individual. She is a vegan who writes haikus on a daily basis and possesses a creative spirit, often utilizing poetry and puppetry in her interactions with children. After teaching English for numerous years, she integrated mindfulness into her lessons with the goal of assisting her students with their anxiety and stress. Haggai Liniado recently shared with CNN, "She wanted to help them about their anxiety, about their stress … and she used to teach Palestinians and Jews, and she taught everybody. My mother was all about peace but was tragically taken hostage and shot. â

Weinstein, the youngest of three siblings, still deeply admires and looks up to her older sister Judi.

Weinstein has been actively trying to avoid falling into the trap of worrying about the fate of her sister while in captivity. To help cope with the pain and uncertainty, she has adopted Judi's practice of writing haikus. According to Weinstein, Judi has been sharing haikus online daily, with the most recent one speaking about new connections and life. The haiku was posted on October 7.