EXCLUSIVE: My aunt and uncle were ambushed by Hamas gunmen at Israeli kibbutz where there were rapes and beheadings… I don’t know if they’re alive or dead
- Dr Arad Haggai’s aunt and uncle are feared to have been kidnapped after terrorists raided the Nir Oz kibbutz
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A Briton has spoken of the horror and helplessness of not knowing if his relatives are dead or alive after they were ambushed by Hamas gunmen in Israel.
Dr Arad Haggai said his aunt and uncle are missing, feared to have been kidnapped after terrorists raided the Nir Oz kibbutz, two miles from Gaza, and slaughtered more than 100 residents.
Dr Haggai’s uncle Gad Haggai, 73 and his English teacher wife Judih Weinstein, 72, were out walking on Saturday morning when Judih texted to tell relatives that they had come under fire.
She sent messages to a family WhatsApp group saying her husband ‘had been wounded’ and appealed for help.
In another message to the kibbutz head of security she called for an ambulance and said she had been injured too.
Dr Arad Haggai. Dr Haggai said his aunt and uncle are missing, feared to have been kidnapped after terrorists raided the Nir Oz kibbutz, two miles from Gaza, and slaughtered more than 100 residents
Dr Haggai’s uncle Gad Haggai, 73 and his English teacher wife Judih Weinstein, 72, in the park. They were out walking on Saturday morning when Judih texted to tell relatives that they had come under fire
Dr Haggai, a surveyor living 2,200 miles away in Essex, said: ‘That is the last we heard of them. The ambulance did not reach them as it was set on fire.
‘There was a large-scale massacre at the kibbutz and of the 400 people living there, around 30 per cent were murdered or kidnapped.
‘There were rapes and beheadings and bodies were set on fire. It was utter mayhem.
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‘I don’t know what has happened to my uncle and auntie. What has led us to believe they may have been kidnapped is that a signal from his phone was picked up in Gaza a day later.
‘Of course, it could mean that his phone was stolen, and they have been shot dead. But their bodies I’ve not been found, and nobody knows what happened to them.
‘It is a very difficult situation in Israel, and maybe their bodies are in a morgue somewhere, but we are holding onto the hope that they might have been kidnapped. I hope they could be freed, particularly as they are senior citizens.
‘My heart goes out to everybody there. People were just butchered in cold blood.
‘It is even more appalling because both my uncle and aunty are pacifists and strive for equality.’
Ms Weinstein in a social media post described herself as a teacher of mindfulness, who practiced Tai Chi and Qigong.
‘I’m fan of Tibetan Buddhism, Gamification, psychology, A Brief History of Humankind, A Beginner’s Guide to Irrationality, the Future of Storytelling, design, poetry, Integrative Medicine and all that is fascinating.’
She was born in Toronto, Canada and moved to Israel around 35 years ago after marrying.
Her missing husband is a retired musician and chef.
The couple are grandparents and have two sons Rahm and Al and two daughters Iris and Zohar. Their children live in Colorado, Singapore and Israel.
Judih Weinstein on the street waving. During the attack, Ms Weinstein sent messages to a family WhatsApp group saying her husband ‘had been wounded’ and appealed for help. In another message to the kibbutz head of security she called for an ambulance and said she had been injured too
Dr Haggai (right) pictured with his uncle, Gad. Gad is a retired musician and chef. The couple are grandparents and have two sons Rahm and Al and two daughters Iris and Zohar
Gad Haggai and his family. The couple’s children live in Colorado, Singapore and Israel
Dr Haggai added: ‘My family is going through the most traumatic and terrible ordeal, as are many Jewish families, who don’t know if their relatives have been kidnapped or have been murdered.
‘We do not want to see any more bloodshed among either Palestinians or Israelis. All lives are precious.
‘This is exactly what my uncle and auntie who are pacifist would be saying.
‘The butchering and shootings that went on Saturday have even had terrible consequences for my children.
‘My 14-year-old daughter was abused this week at school for being Jewish and someone told her, “I hope you’re Jewish uncle is dead”.’
He added: ‘Terrorism affects everybody even children in countries far away. Luckily, the school have been very good and took care of the situation very quickly and talked to the Student involved.’
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