Kidnapping of Hanna Katzir
Israeli hostage (1948–2024)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hanna Katzir (Hebrew: חנה קציר; 6 December 1946 – 24 December 2024)[1] was an Israeli kindergarten teacher who was abducted during the Nir Oz attack led by Hamas on 7 October 2023. She was released after 49 days in captivity. Katzir died on 24 December 2024, due to health complications resulting from her captivity.[2]
Hanna Katzir | |
|---|---|
חנה קציר | |
| |
| Born | 6 December 1946 |
| Died | (aged 78) |
| Occupation | Kindergarten teacher |
| Known for | Gaza war hostage crisis |
| Children | 3 |
Biography
Captivity
On 7 October 2023, she was abducted by Hamas during the Nir Oz attack.[3] Her husband was murdered during the assault, and her son Elad was also abducted.[3][5] Her son was murdered in captivity and his body was returned to Israel by the IDF.[6]
During her captivity in the Gaza Strip, Katzir, who required assistance to walk, was seen in a wheelchair.[7] She was initially held in isolation before being moved to join other captives.[3] The Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) claimed on its Telegram channel that Katzir had died, stating it had been willing to release her but blamed delays by the opposing side.[4]
Katzir was released on 24 November 2023, as part of a truce.[3][5] Following her release, her health declined due to the conditions she endured during her captivity, which included insufficient medical care, starvation and inadequate living conditions.[3][5]
Death and legacy
Katzir died on 24 December 2024 from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy caused by the massacre and the complications stemming from her captivity.[3] She was 78.[3] Her funeral was held in Nir Oz.[3] Her case highlighted the physical and psychological impacts experienced by individuals held hostage by Hamas.[3][5]
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement after her death, expressing condolences and acknowledging the impact of her captivity. He remarked, "We succeeded in bringing Hannah back home after she was cruelly abducted by Hamas on 7 October, but her body and soul carried the scars of the horrors until her final day".[3]
The National Insurance Institute of Israel recognized Katzir as a victim of hostilities.[8] Israeli minister of labor Yoav Ben-Tzur noted her resilience during her captivity by Hamas and acknowledged the loss of her husband in the attack and her son Elad, who was killed in captivity.[8]