An Israeli woman, Hannah Katzir, who was taken hostage during Hamas's attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, has passed away at the age of 78. Katzir was among the 250 hostages held by the Palestinian militant group and was freed in a brief ceasefire last year. Her death was confirmed by the Hostages Families Forum, although the cause was not disclosed.
Katzir's husband was killed during the attack on their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, and her son, Elad, was also kidnapped and later found dead in captivity. Katzir spent 49 days in captivity before being released in late November 2023. Her daughter mentioned that her mother's health had deteriorated due to the suffering she endured during her time as a hostage.
Israeli Air Defense Intercepts Projectile from Yemen
Meanwhile, Israel's military intercepted a projectile launched from Yemen, preventing it from entering Israeli territory. The incident triggered air raid sirens in the central area of the country, causing panic among residents. A 60-year-old woman was seriously injured while seeking shelter during the alert.
This recent event marked the third time in a week that Yemeni fire set off sirens in Israel. In a previous incident, a missile struck a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16 people after the air defense system failed to intercept it. Israeli jets also conducted strikes in Yemen in response to previous Houthi attacks, resulting in casualties.
