An American-Israeli citizen taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 attack has died in captivity in Gaza, a group representing hostages' families has said.
The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum announced that 73-year-old Gadi Haggai has died and said his family have asked for privacy.
The forum described Mr Haggai as “a man full of humour who knew how to make those around him laugh.
“A musician at heart, a gifted flautist, he played in the IDF Orchestra and was involved with music his whole life.”
Mr Haggai’s wife Judi Weinstein, 70, remains a hostage in Gaza, a statement from the kibbutz where the pair lived has reportedly said.
The Kibbutz Nir Oz, which has not said how it found out about Mr Haggai’s death, said his body remains in the hands of terrorists, the Mirror reports.
The newspaper said it is unclear how Mr Haggai died.
It has been reported that 80 of Kibbutz Nir Oz’s roughly 400 residents were taken hostage during Hamas' attack.
Hamas has warned that "time is running out" for the hostages as the Palestinian militants' war with Israel nears its 12th week.
According to an official Israeli tally, 129 people remain held in Gaza after the rest were repatriated in a November truce or recovered during a military offensive. Of those still in Gaza, 22 are dead, the Israeli government says.
The forum said that between five and 10 of the hostages hold US citizenship. The US Embassy had no immediate comment.
