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Hanna Katzir (Hebrew: חנה קציר; 1948 – 23 December 2024) 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 23 December 2024, due to health complications resulting from her detention.
Hanna Katzir | |
|---|---|
חנה קציר | |
 | |
| Born | 1948 |
| Died | (aged 78) |
| Occupation | Kindergarten teacher |
| Known for | Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis |
| Children | 3 |
Biography
editKatzir worked as a caretaker and a kindergarten teacher at Nir Oz, a kibbutz in northwestern Negev. She was involved in the kibbutz community alongside her husband, Avraham Katzir.[1][2] They had three children.[1]
Captivity in Gaza
editOn 7 October 2023, she was abducted by Hamas during the Nir Oz attack.[1] Her husband was killed during the assault, and her son Elad was also abducted.[1][3] Her son was killed in captivity and his body was returned to Israel.[4]
During her captivity in the Gaza Strip, Katzir, who required assistance to walk, was seen in a wheelchair.[5] She was initially held in isolation before being moved to join other captives.[1] 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.[2]
Katzir was released on 24 November 2023, as part of a truce negotiated by Qatar.[1][3] Following her release, her health declined due to the conditions she endured during her captivity, which included insufficient medical care and inadequate living conditions.[1][3]
Death and legacy
editKatzir died on 23 December 2024, due to complications stemming from her captivity.[1] She was 78.[1] Her funeral was held in Nir Oz.[1] Her case highlighted the physical and psychological impacts experienced by individuals held hostage during the conflict.[1][3]
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".[1]
The National Insurance Institute of Israel recognized Katzir as a victim of hostilities.[6] 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.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "'A woman who embodied pure love': Released hostage Hannah Katzir dies at age 76". The Jerusalem Post. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- ^ a b Kainz, Natalie (24 November 2023). "Israeli woman thought to be killed among released hostages, Israeli authorities say". NBC News. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d ToI Staff (6 December 2023). "Released hostage Hanna Katzir, 78, in dire medical condition, family says". Times of Israel. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- ^ Shapiro, Emily (24 December 2024). "Hanna Katzir, Israeli hostage survivor who spent 49 days in captivity, has died". ABC News. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- ^ Philp, Catherine; Helles, Amal; Cheeseman, Abbie (10 November 2023). "Video of two hostages released by allies of Hamas". The Times. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
- ^ a b Shaulov, Roni Green; Eichne, Itamar; Gil-Ad, Hadar (24 December 2024). "נפטרה חנה קציר, שנחטפה מניר עוז ושוחררה בעסקה" [Hannah Katzir, Abducted from Nir Oz and Released in a Deal, Passes Away]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 26 December 2024.