Israeli kibbutz confirms deaths of 3 Hamas-held hostages in Gaza
An Israeli kibbutz confirmed Friday the death of three of its residents who were taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack.
Kibbutz Nir Oz announced that 85-year-old resident Aryeh Zalmanovich has died in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip. Zalmanovich was one of the founders of the kibbutz, which is located in southern Israel near the border with Gaza.
“Father of two sons and grandfather of five grandchildren. Aryeh was a man of the land all his life who was engaged in agriculture and field crops,” the kibbutz said in a statement. “A man of books and has a wide knowledge of history and knowledge of the country.”
Gaza's militant rulers, Hamas, released a video in mid-November that appeared to show Zalmanovich looking ill. The group claimed he had later died.
Kibbutz Nir Oz also announced that 54-year-old resident Ronen Engel has died in Hamas captivity in Gaza. The kibbutz described Engel as a "photographer, MDA volunteer and motorcycle enthusiast." His wife and two daughters were also kidnapped to Gaza on Oct. 7 and released this week, according to the kibbutz.
A third resident of kibbutz Nir Oz, 56-year-old resident Maya Goren, was also confirmed to have died in Hamas captivity in Gaza. Her husband was among those killed on Oct. 7, according to the kibbutz.
"Maya was a hardworking and dedicated kindergarten teacher, and gave loving care to the kibbutz children for many years," the kibbutz said in a statement.
-ABC News' Yael Benaya and Morgan Winsor