Israel military says six hostages 'brutally murdered' in Gaza, including Israeli-American Goldberg-Polin
Israel military says six hostages 'brutally murdered' in Gaza, including Israeli-American Goldberg-Polin
Israel's military said it has recovered the bodies of six hostages killed by Hamas militants in Gaza – including an Israeli-American captive – dealing fresh heartbreak to relatives who fear time is running out for loved ones seized by the militants more than 10 months ago.
Among those whose bodies were recovered was Hersh Goldberg-Polin of California, whose fate - seized by gunfire during the Nova music festival on October 7 - made him one of the faces of the horrific international hostage crisis that has had grave ramifications for the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and brought catastrophic destruction to Gaza.
The bodies were found in enclave tunnels, the military said. The hostages were "brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists, a short while before we reached them," Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a briefing.
The parents of 23-year-old Goldberg-Polin have been among the most outspoken of the hostage families pressing Netanyahu to pursue a deal that would bring their loved ones home. Their tireless, high-profile advocacy has seen them meet with world leaders, and earlier this month give an emotional address at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
With shattered hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is crushed to confirm the passing of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family appreciates all the love and support and requests privacy at this time," the family said in a statement.
The Israeli military identified the other five victims as Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alex Lobanov and Ori Danino. CNN has reached out to their families.
In a taped message Sunday, Netanyahu said he had been "shocked to the core" by what he said was "the terrible cold-blooded murder of six of our hostages." He also said that "those who murder hostages do not want a deal."
He said Israel would continue to pursue Hamas, accusing it of not wanting to conduct genuine negotiations since December.
"Three months ago, on May 27, Israel agreed to a hostage release deal with the full backing of the United States. Hamas refused. Even after the United States updated the outline of the deal on August 16 – we agreed, and Hamas again refused."
He added that the Israeli government and he, personally, are "committed to continue working towards a deal which will bring back all our hostages and guarantee our security and existence."
US President Joe Biden said the bodies were recovered under the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.
"I am devastated and outraged," Biden said in a statement released by the White House which also paid tribute to Goldberg-Polin's parents.
"They have been brave, thoughtful and steady, even as they have suffered the unthinkable," Biden said. "They have been tireless and fearless advocates for their son and for all of the hostages who have been held in unconscionable circumstances."
When the Hamas gunmen made their murderous attack along Israel's southern border, Goldberg-Polin and friends were huddled in a small bomb shelter. The militants, who started to hurl grenades into the bunker, were met with Goldberg-Polin, who hastened to throw the bombs out. He continued on until his arm was blown off from the elbow down.
‘Anguish and misery’
Goldberg-Polin's death in particular is going to send ripples not just in Israel, but in US political circles.
His parents Rachel and Jonathan have regularly met top US officials in Washington to press the case of the hostages, and their impassioned address to top Democrats at the convention earlier this month inextricably tied the hostages' fate to US policy over the war in Gaza.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin told CNN in January that she has worn a piece of tape every day since he was kidnapped-a marker for each day.
In her convention speech, she said life since October 7 is like "living on another planet.".
"Anyone who is a parent or ever had a parent can try to envision an idea of the anguish and misery that Jon and I and all the hostage families are enduring," she told delegates.
Some bodies were found this weekend in the Gaza tunnels; like Goldberg-Polin, they had all been kidnapped at the time of the Nova music festival. Lobanov, a 32-year-old father of two, and Yerushalmi, 24, had been working at the bar at the festival, while Danino, 25 and Sarusi, 27, had been attendees.
Gat, 40, was seized from Kibbutz Be'eri. She had been visiting her parents when Hamas militants stormed the community near the border with Gaza, killing and taking hostages as they went.
‘Anguish and misery’
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