Israeli forces have located and recovered the bodies of six hostages who were held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement released by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The bodies were discovered on Saturday in an underground tunnel in the Rafah area, a region in southern Gaza known for its extensive tunnel networks.
The hostages have been identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt Ori Danino. The IDF has reported that an initial assessment suggests the hostages were “brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.” This grim discovery has sent shockwaves through Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the killings, vowing that Israel would not rest until those responsible were brought to justice. In a statement, Netanyahu reiterated his government’s commitment to securing the release of any remaining hostages and ensuring the nation’s security. He remarked, “Whoever murders hostages – does not want a deal,” highlighting the challenges faced in the ongoing negotiations for a potential hostage exchange.
The Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the relatives of those held in Gaza, has expressed their deep frustration and grief over the situation. They have criticised the Israeli government’s handling of the hostage crisis, specifically accusing the authorities of delaying a deal that could have saved lives. In a statement, the group lamented that the six hostages had endured nearly 11 months of “abuse, torture, and starvation” before being killed in recent days. The group has also announced plans to organise mass protests across Israel, calling on the public to join them in pressuring the government to secure a deal for the remaining hostages.
The IDF has confirmed that the bodies have been returned to Israeli territory, and the families of the victims have been notified. Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed his sorrow over the deaths, stating, “The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces with the news.” Herzog offered his condolences to the bereaved families and apologised for the failure to bring the hostages home safely.
The killing of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American citizen, has drawn a strong reaction from the United States. President Joe Biden expressed his devastation and outrage, noting that Goldberg-Polin was among those attacked during a music festival in Israel on 7 October, a day marked by unprecedented violence that triggered Israel’s military response in Gaza. Biden paid tribute to the 23-year-old, who lost an arm while helping others during the attack, describing him as a courageous individual with plans to travel the world. He also acknowledged the strength of Goldberg-Polin’s parents, Jon and Rachel, who have shown remarkable resilience in the face of their loss.
The discovery of the hostages’ bodies comes amid ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. US, Egyptian, and Qatari officials have been working to negotiate a deal that would see Hamas release the 97 hostages still believed to be in captivity, including at least 27 who are presumed dead, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
As these negotiations continue, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire. A UN-led polio vaccination campaign has begun in the territory, following the detection of the virus in wastewater samples earlier this year. The campaign aims to vaccinate around 640,000 children under the age of 10, with “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting agreed to facilitate the effort. This initiative comes after the first case of polio in over 25 years was confirmed in a 10-month-old Palestinian child last month, underscoring the severe public health challenges facing Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict.
The deaths of the six hostages have cast a shadow over these humanitarian efforts, deepening the sense of tragedy that has come to define the conflict.
