Israel announced on Sunday that it has recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in southern Gaza. According to the military, the hostages were apparently killed shortly before Israeli troops reached their location. Military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated, “According to our initial estimation, they were murdered by Hamas a short time before we reached them.”
The hostages identified were Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino. US President Joe Biden confirmed that one of the deceased, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was an Israeli-American.
“I am devastated and outraged,” Biden said in a White House statement. He praised Goldberg-Polin’s parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, for their courage and resilience. Biden vowed that “Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes” and promised continued efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages.
The violence erupted following an attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, resulting in at least 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 hostages taken. In retaliation, Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has led to at least 40,691 Palestinian deaths and 94,060 injuries, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
On the ground, clashes continued in the West Bank city of Jenin, where Israeli troops have been conducting large-scale raids. Meanwhile, children at Nasser Hospital in Gaza began receiving polio vaccinations.
Biden expressed optimism about a potential ceasefire agreement, noting, “I think we’re on the verge of having an agreement. It’s time this war ended.”
