Iris Weinstein Haggai received confirmation about her parents’ deaths in quick succession. On December 22, she learned that her father, Gadi, had been killed on October 7. Six days later, word came about her mother, Judi, who was also murdered by Hamas on the day of the attacks. The family faced the difficult decision of how to mourn without the bodies of their loved ones. They held a small family gathering in Toronto and organized virtual gatherings over Zoom to remember Judi and Gadi, allowing relatives and friends to pay tribute to the couple.
Weinstein Haggai and her siblings refrained from participating in the gatherings but watched recordings afterward, finding it difficult to accept the finality of their parents’ deaths without being able to bury their bodies. Andrea Weinstein, Judi’s sister, noted the challenging situation of grieving without having a traditional burial ceremony. Families of American hostages, including the Haggai and Chen families, are struggling to find peace until their loved ones’ bodies are returned. They participated in meetings with top US officials, advocating for the urgent return of the deceased hostages’ bodies alongside efforts to secure the release of living hostages.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, aim to implement a ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages. The families emphasize the need for parallel negotiations for the release of the living and the deceased hostages to ensure timely resolutions. They have met with Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, discussing the urgent need to bring home the remains of the deceased hostages. The families highlight the importance of ensuring a respectful burial for their loved ones and finding closure in the grieving process.
The Haggai and Chen families recall the creativity and caring nature of their deceased loved ones. Gadi Haggai was known for his musical talent and culinary skills, while Judi Weinstein Haggai was a poet who wrote about peace. Itay Chen, described as a happy and helpful young man, was loved by many for his humor and kindness. The families mourn the loss of their loved ones and fear the thought of their bodies being left in Gaza without a proper burial. They stress the importance of honoring their memory with a burial ceremony and finding closure through proper grieving and mourning.
Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, is approaching, prompting reflections on the importance of a respectful burial for the deceased hostages. The families express concerns about their loved ones’ bodies being left in Gaza and the lack of closure that comes with not being able to mourn properly. They advocate for the return of the deceased hostages’ bodies as part of ongoing negotiations for the release of living hostages. The families hope to find peace and closure by ensuring that their loved ones receive a dignified burial and honoring their memory with traditional mourning practices.
The families of the deceased hostages continue to push for the return of their loved ones’ bodies while engaging in negotiations for the release of living hostages. They stress the need for urgency in resolving the situation and finding closure through proper mourning and burial ceremonies. Vice President Kamala Harris has reaffirmed the US commitment to bringing home the remains of the deceased hostages, acknowledging the families’ struggles and advocating for a respectful resolution to the situation. The families remain determined to see the return of their loved ones’ bodies and find peace through honoring their memory with traditional mourning practices.
