Biden ‘devastated’ by killing of American citizen Judith Weinstein during Hamas attacks

President Joe Biden mourned the reported death of Judith Weinstein, an American citizen who has now been identified as being killed in the initial Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, in a statement on Thursday.

The 70-year-old Weinstein, who was an American, Israeli, and Canadian national, and her husband, 72-year-old Gad Haggai, were initially believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, but the Israeli government announced last week that Haggai had been killed during the attack on the Nir Oz kibbutz.

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A spokesperson for the kibbutz also confirmed Thursday that Weinstein was killed in the initial attack.

“Jill and I are devastated to learn that American Judith Weinstein is also believed to have been killed by Hamas on October 7,” Biden wrote of Weinstein’s death on Thursday. “This tragic development cuts deep, coming on the heels of last week’s news that Judith’s beloved husband, Gad Haggai, is believed to have been killed by Hamas.”

“We are holding Judith and Gad’s four children, seven grandchildren, and other loved ones close to our hearts. I will never forget what their daughter, and the family members of other Americans held hostage in Gaza, have shared with me,” the president continued. “They have been living through hell for weeks. No family should have to endure such an ordeal. And I reaffirm the pledge we have made to all the families of those still held hostage: we will not stop working to bring them home.”

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Biden is facing increased domestic pressure to back away from Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza following the terrorist attacks.

The president has begun telling Democratic donors that Israel must wind down the “indiscriminate” fighting in Gaza or risk totally losing support, both inside the United States and around the world. Biden had previously voiced total support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military campaign.