Hanna Katzir, 76, who was held hostage by Hamas during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has passed away after suffering from a complex medical condition in the months following her release. Katzir died on December 24, 2024, marking the first death of a former hostage who was part of the hostage exchange deal that occurred after the ceasefire on November 24, 2023.
Katzir was taken captive from her home in the Nir Oz kibbutz during the brutal Hamas assault, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,208 Israelis, mostly civilians. Her husband, Rami Katzir, was killed in the attack, and their son, Elad, was also seized by Hamas. Elad, aged 47, tragically died in captivity, and his body was returned to Israel in April 2024, where he was buried in Nir Oz.
Katzir and other hostages were released after a ceasefire was brokered between Israel and Hamas in late November 2023, as part of a broader hostage exchange arrangement. Despite her return to Israel, Katzir’s health deteriorated, and she faced severe medical challenges related to the trauma she endured during her captivity.
The Nir Oz kibbutz, where Hanna Katzir lived, confirmed her death in a statement, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of a beloved community member. Israeli government officials also recognized her as a victim of terrorism due to the circumstances surrounding her kidnapping and prolonged suffering after her release.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent his condolences to the Katzir family, emphasizing his commitment to bringing all hostages home. “We will continue to work tirelessly until every hostage is safe,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Katzir was buried in Nir Oz on the afternoon of December 24, 2024, in a private ceremony attended by her family, close friends, and kibbutz members, who remembered her as a resilient woman who had survived one of the most harrowing episodes in recent Israeli history.
The October 7 attack, which led to widespread devastation in Israel, resulted in the capture of 251 hostages, many of whom were civilians. While some hostages were released during the ceasefire, others remain in Gaza, with 96 hostages still held by Hamas, including 34 who are believed to have died. In response, Israel launched a retaliatory campaign, which has resulted in over 45,300 deaths in Gaza, according to figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Katzir’s death underscores the ongoing impact of the violence, with the emotional and physical toll on former hostages, their families, and the broader Israeli community continuing to reverberate.
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