The bodies of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American taken hostage during the October 7th Hamas attack, and five other hostages were recovered on Saturday from a tunnel beneath Rafah, according to Israeli authorities. Goldberg-Polin, 23, had been held in captivity for 331 days, his ordeal ending in tragedy.
“With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time”, the Goldberg-Polin family wrote in a statement.
U.S. President Joe Biden also addressed the situation, stating that he was “devastated and outraged” by the deaths. “Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes,” Biden said, while reaffirming ongoing efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the other hostages as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, said Hamas executed the six hostages shortly before Israeli forces reached them. Their bodies were discovered less than a mile from where another hostage had been rescued earlier in the week.
The hostages’ deaths have led to an outpouring of grief and condemnation from both Israeli and U.S. officials. Vice President Kamala Harris offered her condolences to the families, while also condemning Hamas as an “evil terrorist organization” with “even more American blood on its hands.”
Hersh Goldberg-Polin was one of those taken hostage during the Supernova music festival, where he lost his arm in a grenade blast. His parents, Jon and Rachel, had been prominent advocates for his release, making public appeals, including at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago a couple of weeks ago.
The other hostages, like Goldberg-Polin, were also victims of the violence at the Supernova festival or taken from their homes. Carmel Gat, 40, was kidnapped from her parents’ home in Kibbutz Be’eri. Eden Yerushalmi, 24, was working as a bartender at the festival when she was taken. Alexander Lobanov, 33, and Almog Sarusi, 27, were also at the festival. Master Sgt. Ori Danino, 25, was kidnapped while helping others escape.
The deaths have intensified criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the Hostage and Missing Families Forum accusing him of failing to secure the hostages’ release. The group, which represents the families of those still held captive, has announced plans for public demonstrations in Israel.
With around 100 hostages still in Hamas custody, the pressure on Netanyahu to negotiate a cease-fire and secure their release continues to grow. President Biden, addressing the ongoing conflict, called for an end to the war. “It’s time to finish it,” Biden said on Saturday.
