The hostages, taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack, were recovered in a tunnel under Rafah, President Joe Biden said.
The bodies of six hostages, including Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were discovered in Gaza after being held captive by Hamas since the deadly October 7 terrorist attacks. President Joe Biden condemned the deaths, expressing both outrage and devastation over the situation. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the hostages’ remains were found in a tunnel under Rafah, a city in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The six victims were identified as Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino. These individuals were abducted by Hamas militants during the coordinated attacks that took place earlier in the month. Their deaths come just days after Hamas had taken them captive, resulting in a significant blow to their families and the Israeli public.
IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari revealed that the hostages were killed just before Israeli forces managed to reach the location. The bodies were found in close proximity to a tunnel where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, had been rescued earlier in the week. The Israeli military had been working tirelessly to locate the hostages and prevent further casualties.
In his statement, President Biden expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic loss of life, emphasizing the importance of bringing the remaining hostages home safely. Biden’s words reflected the growing sentiment of anger and frustration that has been mounting both in Israel and internationally over the ongoing situation.
Israeli forces were initially unsure about the exact location of the hostages but increased their efforts after the identification of Alkadi. Rear Adm. Hagari noted that the military forces had been instructed to proceed with even greater caution in the region. This decision was made to ensure the safe recovery of other potential hostages and to prevent further harm from Hamas.
The discovery of these six hostages’ bodies led to a wave of protests across Israel. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in Tel Aviv, demanding that the government take decisive action to bring back the remaining hostages. The ongoing protests reflect the growing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the hostage situation and the escalating violence in Gaza.
The tragic deaths have sparked renewed calls for international intervention and a reevaluation of Israel’s strategy in handling the hostage crisis. With tensions rising both within Israel and globally, the situation remains precarious, with hopes for the safe return of all hostages still very much in question.