In a tragic turn of events, Gadi Haggai, a 73-year-old U.S.-Israeli man who was abducted by Hamas militants during the October 7 attack, has been confirmed dead, according to the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum. Haggai's death marks the latest fatality among the hostages held by Palestinian militants in Gaza since the day of the attack.

Details surrounding Haggai's death remain unclear, as no information has been provided regarding the cause. Haggai, who was known for playing the flute in the military's orchestra, was abducted along with his wife Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, who is believed to be the oldest woman still held captive among the hostages.

The couple was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz while they were out for their regular morning walk on October 7, as revealed by the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum. The statement announcing Haggai's death described him as a "musician at heart."

Following the attack, Judith managed to inform her friends that both she and her husband had been severely injured from gunfire. The Nir Oz kibbutz confirmed that Haggai's body is still being held by Hamas in Gaza. Haggai leaves behind four children and seven grandchildren.

Iris, Haggai's daughter, spoke with CBS News in a late November interview, during which she disclosed that she had seen video evidence suggesting that her father was killed by militants who subsequently took his body. At the time of the interview, she had received no news about her mother's well-being.

The October 7 attack, carried out by Hamas militants who crossed the Gaza border, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians in southern Israeli communities. Alongside the fatalities, around 250 people were taken hostage during the audacious assault.

In response, Israel launched a relentless air, sea, and ground offensive on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 20,000 individuals, predominantly women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

November saw a temporary cease-fire that led to the release of 105 hostages, including Israelis and some foreigners, in exchange for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. However, Israeli authorities report that 129 individuals are still being held captive in Gaza.

As the families and loved ones of those who remain hostages anxiously await their release, the death of Gadi Haggai serves as a painful reminder of the human toll inflicted by this ongoing crisis.