Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says Israeli forces have recovered the bodies of six hostages who were held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The remains were found on Saturday in an underground tunnel in the Rafah area, as stated by the IDF.
The identified hostages include Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt Ori Danino. U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that Hersh Goldberg-Polin was an American citizen, expressing his deep sorrow and anger: “I am devastated and outraged.”
In an official statement, the IDF reported that the bodies had been “returned to Israeli territory” and clarified that all six were taken hostage on October 7, 2023, before being killed by Hamas in Gaza. The victims’ families have been notified of their loss.
President Biden also shared a personal connection to the tragedy, noting, “Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on 7 October. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas’ savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world.”
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He added that he had come to know Hersh’s parents, Jon and Rachel, who have shown remarkable courage and strength despite their immense grief.
The Israeli military’s ongoing campaign in Gaza, aimed at dismantling Hamas, was launched in response to the unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others.
Since the conflict began, more than 40,530 people in Gaza have lost their lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory.
Negotiations are currently underway, led by U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators, to broker a ceasefire that would involve Hamas releasing the 97 hostages still in captivity, including at least 27 believed to be deceased, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
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