Israel on Thursday recovered the bodies of two hostages who were abducted in the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre that ignited the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X that the remains of Gadi Haggai and Judy Weinstein-Haggai had been returned in a special operation by the army and the Shin Bet internal security agency.

"Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the dear families. Our hearts ache for the most terrible loss. May their memory be blessed," Netanyahu said in a statement.

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Kibbutz Nir Oz announced the deaths of Weinstein and Haggai, both in their early 70s, in December 2023. 

The couple were taking an early morning walk near their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on the morning of Oct. 7 when Hamas militants burst across the border into Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251.

In the early hours of the morning, Weinstein was able to call emergency services and let them know that both she and her husband had been shot and send a message to her family.

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The couple were survived by two sons and two daughters and seven grandchildren, the kibbutz said.

The rescue operation was conducted by IDF troops in coordination with the Intelligence Directorate and special forces. The operation was made possible as a result of precise intelligence provided by the Hostage Task Force, the Intelligence Directorate, and the ISA. 

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Following an identification procedure carried out by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine, the Israel Police, and the IDF Manpower Directorate's Hostage Task Force, the family and the community of Nir Oz were notified.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called the couples' return "pain and heartbreaking." 

"[Y]et it also brings healing to our uncertainty. Their return reminds us all that it is the state's duty to bring everyone home, so that we, the families, together with all the people of Israel, can begin the process of healing and recovery," the Forum said. 

We want to emphasize today—a grave is not a privilege. A grave is a basic human right, without which personal and national recovery is impossible."

The Forum called upon leaders on both sides to reach an agreement to bring all 56 remaining hostages – "the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for burial."

"There is no need to wait another 608 agonizing days for this. The mission can be completed as early as tomorrow morning. This is what the majority of the Israeli people want," the Forum said. "We want to emphasize today—a grave is not a privilege. A grave is a basic human right, without which personal and national recovery is impossible."

Chelan County Sheriff’s Office deputies released doorbell camera footage and photos of Travis Decker, 32, who is wanted on three counts of murder 1st degree and kidnapping 1st degree.

They say the videos and photos are from the days leading up to his visitation with his three daughters. The footage also shows what police believe is his last known appearance.

Police say newly obtained information revealed Decker is "well versed in wilderness survival and capable of spending days or even weeks in the wilderness on his own and with very little equipment."

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Investigators are currently working with authorities across the county and state to locate known associates and potential next moves for Decker.

"As we take an ‘all hands’ approach to investigating the murder of three young girls, the team morale remains elevated as we work toward locating Travis Decker," authorities stated. "Additionally, more teams are being deployed to different sites Mr. Decker was known to frequent in the area."

Police say, although it is a challenge searching for Decker, their personnel assured the public that they are well-prepared to apprehend him.

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office said "The U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is working closely with the Chelan County Sheriff's Office to locate and apprehend this fugitive" and a reward of up to $20,000 is available for information leading directly to Decker's arrest. 

"The suspect is not known to be armed at this time, but should be considered dangerous," it added.

The three girls, aged five, eight and nine, went to see their dad on Friday, May 30, for a planned visitation and their bodies were later found near Decker's abandoned pickup truck Monday afternoon.

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Authorities were alerted to the girl's disappearance by the mother, who told police that Decker picked the girls up around 5 p.m. on Friday but did not return them by 8 p.m. and his phone went straight to voicemail, court documents said.

A detective said she "expressed concern because Decker reportedly has never done this before and … is currently experiencing some mental health issues."

"What prompted her to call us was that ... he was late returning the girls and had not communicated to her that he was going to be late, which was his typical fashion and so this was out of the ordinary," Capt. Brian Chance said.

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Police believe the girls, whose wrists were zip-tied, died from asphyxiation, according to court documents.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit information here: https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/sheriff/forms/submit-a-tip.