NIR OZ, Israel – The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum reported on Friday that Gadi Haggai, a 73-year-old U.S.-Israeli man who was abducted to Gaza during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants, has been confirmed dead. This makes him the latest fatality among hostages held by Palestinian militants in the territory. The attack took place at the Nir Oz kibbutz, where Haggai and his wife Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, resided. Both were abducted during the attack, with Haggai being killed and his wife, believed to be the oldest woman among the hostages, remained in captivity.

The couple was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz while they were on their “regular morning walk” on Oct. 7, according to the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum. Judith informed friends that they had been injured by gunfire during the attack, reporting that her husband was seriously injured. The Nir Oz kibbutz confirmed that Haggai’s body is still being held by Hamas in Gaza. He is survived by four children and seven grandchildren. The Israeli army also verified his death.

In late November, his daughter Iris spoke to CBS News and stated that she saw video evidence of her father being killed by militants, who then took his body. She expressed concern about the wellbeing of her mother, as there was no news about her at that time.

The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. In Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza, at least 20,000 people, the majority of whom were women and children, were killed.

A temporary cease-fire in November led to the release of 105 hostages — Israelis and foreigners — in exchange for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. However, Israeli authorities reported that 129 people are still being held hostage in Gaza.