Israeli special forces recovered the bodies of two American hostages who were held in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet intelligence service announced Thursday. Why it matters: Judi Weinstein-Haggai and Gad Haggai from Kibbutz Nir Oz were murdered during the Oct.

As more Gazans fled their homes in the north, international demands grew louder for Israel to allow an urgent and massive injection of aid to stave off famine in the territory.

"After more than 600 days of pain and waiting, the bodies of Gadi Haggai and Judih Weinstein Haggai were returned to Israel overnight in a military operation," the kibbutz announced. "The couple, residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz, were murdered and abducted by Hamas terrorists in the fields of their kibbutz during the October 7th attack."