Judih Weinstein Haggai, the last Canadian known to have been kidnapped by Hamas, confirmed dead

Judih Weinstein Haggai, the last Canadian considered missing amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, is dead, her family says.

Initially thought to have been a hostage of Hamas, her family said Thursday that they now know she died on Oct. 7, the day that Hamas conducted its attack on Israel.

She and her U.S.-Israeli husband, Gadi Haggai, were shot near the Gaza border, they said in a statement.

Kibbutz Nir Oz, of which the two were members, confirmed earlier in December that Gadi Haggai did not survive. The kibbutz issued the latest statement on the family's behalf, confirming that Judih Weinstein Haggai, whose nickname was Judy, was killed.

The kibbutz described her as an English teacher, who specialized in teaching children with special needs.

"For the past few years she has also taught mindfulness to children and teenagers who suffered from anxiety caused by the ongoing rocket fire from Gaza," the statement reads. "‎‏Judy was a poet, entrepreneur, and pursued many initiatives to advance peace in the region."

She also volunteered to help Palestinians in Gaza.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly extended her condolences on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying she met with Weinstein Haggai's family who described her as "loving, kind, and compassionate." 

"Canada mourns her loss with her family and loved ones," Joly added.

Pictured is Judih Weinstein Haggai and her husband Gad Haggai. (Contributed)

Weinstein Haggai was a mother of four -- two daughters and two sons -- and a grandmother to seven. The kibbutz says her and her husband's bodies remain with Hamas.

"‎‏May Judy’s memory be a blessing," the statement reads. 

Weinstein Haggai was born in the United States and held U.S., Israeli and Canadian citizenship -- having moved to Toronto when she was three years old, according to her family.

In the mid-90s, when she was around the age of 20, she and her husband landed on Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel. The two later made a home less than three kilometres away.

They had been out on a walk near the kibbutz when Hamas fired rockets into Israel on Oct. 7, according to her daughter Iris Haggai Liniado, who spoke with CTV News following the attack.

“I can’t believe this is reality,” their daughter said at the time.

Weinstein Haggai sent a text message to community members saying that a militant on a motorcycle shot her husband, and that she was less severely injured.

The kibbutz tried to dispatch an ambulance, but couldn't do so before Hamas arrived.

'(SHE) BELIEVED IN PEACE'

Ali Weinstein, Weinstein Haggai's niece, said in a Dec. 4 interview with The Canadian Press that the family was on an emotional roller-coaster since Oct. 7 -- feeling relief for hostages who were released during a pause in hostilities, and dread each time her aunt wasn't among them.

She also applauded Canadian officials for their responsiveness. She said the family was in touch with two RCMP officers nearly every day, despite there being few new facts to share.

She also said the family struggled with Israel's response to the attacks. Family members also expressed concern at the rise in hateful speech toward both Jews and Muslims in Canada in the wake of the conflict.

"We're inspired by my sister, who believed in peace and believed in harmony," Larry Weinstein, Weinstein Haggai's brother, told The Canadian Press on Dec. 4.

"There can't be any kind of resolution when people are at each other's throats." 

"They have been living through hell for weeks," said U.S. President Joe Biden in a statement. "No family should have to endure such an ordeal."

"This tragic development cuts deep," the president said, reaffirming his government's pledge to aid in the remaining hostages' release. 

Published with files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press.