The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Monday that two hostages held by Hamas had been killed, including the brave woman’s husband. Her now iconic photo glaring at her terrorist captors upon their release..
The IDF announced new information from operations in the Gaza Strip, confirming the deaths of Israelis Alex Dansig, 76, and Yagev Bukshtav, 35, while they were held together in captivity in Khan Younis several months ago.
The IDF did not provide details about the condition of the victims’ bodies, saying the circumstances of their deaths were currently being investigated.
Hamas claimed earlier this year that Bukhstah died from a lack of food and medicine, and that Danzig was killed in an Israeli attack.
Bukhstav, of Kibbutz Nirim, was the husband of Rimon Kirsht, who was released in a hostage exchange with Hamas in November.
Krishto was hailed as a “hero” for giving the hostage-takers a piercing “death stare” and demanding that her husband be released along with her or she would refuse any hostage exchange.
“The Hamas terrorists told her: ‘You have two options: either release yourself voluntarily or we will drag you to the floor.’ They gave her no choice,” Kirsht’s family said. He told Israel Hayom at that time.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of Mr. Buchstach and Mr. Danzig,” the Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons said in a statement.
“This morning’s tragic news of the hostage deaths is yet another reminder of the urgent need to bring hostages home, whose lives remain in constant danger in a Hamas hellscape.”
Danzig’s eldest son, Yuval Danzig, posted a heartbreaking letter on Instagram, mourning the death of the Polish-Jewish activist.
“Dear father, it wasn’t meant to end like this,” Yuval wrote. “You were kidnapped alive that cursed morning, breathing in your bed, and you were meant to come home alive and complete us.
“I’m sorry I failed in this mission,” his son wrote.
Israel has confirmed that at least 44 of the roughly 120 hostages who remain in Hamas’s custody since the October 7 terror attack have been killed.
While the victims’ families have asked that their privacy be respected, Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial issued a statement about Danzig, the son of Holocaust survivors who dedicated his life to educating others about the horrors of the genocide of the Jewish people.
“Today we are deeply saddened by the passing of our valued and respected colleague, Alex Danzig,” Yad Vashem director Dani Dayan said in a statement.
“Just yesterday we marked Alex’s 76th birthday and were filled with hope that he would soon return alive and well,” Dayan added. “The news of his tragic death strengthens our resolve to ensure that Alex’s legacy and the stories he so passionately preserved are never forgotten.”
