The bodies of six hostages, including American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were recovered from a tunnel in Rafah, Gaza, on Saturday, according to Israeli and U.S. officials. The hostages had been held by Hamas since the October 7 terror attacks.
President Joe Biden confirmed the recovery in a statement, saying, “I am devastated and outraged.” The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the other hostages as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino.
IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that Hamas killed the hostages shortly before Israeli forces reached them. Their bodies were found less than a mile from where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, was rescued earlier this week.
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was taken during the attack on the Supernova music festival. His parents have been vocal advocates for the hostages’ release, including a recent plea at the Democratic National Convention.
The recovery comes amid mounting pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a cease-fire deal with Hamas. Earlier Saturday, President Biden called for an end to the war, saying, “I think we’re on the verge of having an agreement.”
The Hostage and Missing Families Forum criticized Netanyahu, stating, “Netanyahu abandoned the abductees! This is now a fact.” They announced plans for public demonstrations, saying, “Starting tomorrow the country will tremble.”
Since the October 7 attack, over 1,200 people were killed in Israel and approximately 250 taken hostage. Gaza health officials report more than 40,000 Palestinian deaths in Israel’s subsequent military offensive.
Around 100 hostages are believed to remain in Hamas custody. The ongoing situation has sparked protests within Israeli society, with many calling for Netanyahu to prioritize a cease-fire agreement to bring the hostages home.
