Kidnapping of Hanna Katzir

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 captivity.^[1]

Hanna Katzir
חנה קציר
Born	1948 (1948)
Died	23 December 2024 (aged 78)
Occupation	Kindergarten teacher
Known for	Gaza war hostage crisis
Children	3

Biography

Katzir 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.^[2][3] They had three children.^[2]

Captivity

On 7 October 2023, she was abducted by Hamas during the Nir Oz attack.^[2] Her husband was killed during the assault, and her son Elad was also abducted.^[2][4] Her son was killed in captivity and his body was returned to Israel.^[5]

During her captivity in the Gaza Strip, Katzir, who required assistance to walk, was seen in a wheelchair.^[6] She was initially held in isolation before being moved to join other captives.^[2] 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.^[3]

Katzir was released on 24 November 2023, as part of a truce negotiated by Qatar.^[2][4] Following her release, her health declined due to the conditions she endured during her captivity, which included insufficient medical care and inadequate living conditions.^[2][4]

Death and legacy

Katzir died on 23 December 2024, due to complications stemming from her captivity.^[2] She was 78.^[2] Her funeral was held in Nir Oz.^[2] Her case highlighted the physical and psychological impacts experienced by individuals held hostage during the conflict.^[2][4]

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".^[2]

The National Insurance Institute of Israel recognized Katzir as a victim of hostilities.^[7] 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.^[7]