GAZA, Sept. 1, 2024 (UPI) – The bodies of six Hamas-held hostages were recovered by Israeli Defense Forces in a tunnel under the Gaza city of Rafah, including 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the military said Sunday in Israel.
The four men and two women were murdered around a day or two before troops found them, IDF said. Troops, who began to search a tunnel complex Saturday, did not clash with anyone inside the tunnel.
President Joe Biden announced the deaths of six hostages late Saturday from Delaware before confirmation from IDF.
He said he was “devastated and outraged” at the news.
“I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel,” Biden said. “They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable. They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express.
“I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”
Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a statement.
“When I met with Jon and Rachel earlier this year, I told them: You are not alone,” the Democratic presidential nominee said. “That remains true as they mourn this terrible loss. … As is said in the Jewish tradition, may Hersh’s memory be a blessing.
“Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. .. The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel – and American citizens in Israel – must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza. The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas’ rule for nearly two decades.”
In April, Hamas released a video of Goldberg-Polin when he was still alive on their Telegram channel.
The IDF earlier said it will not be able to confirm any specifics until the bodies have been returned to Israel and checked, likely Sunday.
After word bodies were found, Missing Families Forum demanded Netanyahu sign a hostage deal.
“Netanyahu abandoned the hostages! This is now a fact,” Hostage and Missing Families Forum said.
Thousands earlier rallied at Hostage Square in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and in front of Netanyahu’s residence on Saturday night. Plans are for more protests Sunday.
“Starting tomorrow the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare. We will stop the country,” the statement continued.
President Isaac Herzog said in a statement that the “heart of an entire nation is crushed into pieces.
“In the name of the entire State of Israel, I hold their families in my heart and ask forgiveness. Forgiveness for not being able to return your loved ones home safely.”
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said: “While our sons and daughters are abandoned and die in captivity, Netanyahu is busy spinning the narrative.”
“We will continue to stand by the families and hug and protect them in difficult times,” he added.
Netanyahu hadn’t issued a statement as of early Sunday in Israel.
Biden earlier said he was optimistic about a ceasefire-for-hostages deal. The parties involved in the negotiation have said they “agree on the principles.”
“It’s time this war ended,” Biden told media in Delaware. “I think we’re on the verge of having an agreement. It’s time to end it. It’s time to finish it.”
The United States, Qatar and Egypt have served as mediators.
The mediators have proposed a first phase involving a six-week ceasefire, a second phase that would release all hostages and a withdrawal of all IDF presence from Gaza, and a third reconstruction phase. This has been the plan proposed by Biden.
Israel has said it is not supportive of a permanent cease-fire.
Around half of the hostages have been freed: 117 with 78 Israeli women and children.
Eight hostages have been rescued by Israeli forces with the most recent Tuesday: Arab-Israeli Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52. There have been four rescues.
Hamas claims some hostages were killed in Israeli airstrikes.
And Israeli troops mistakenly killed three Israelis who escaped captivity in December.
In the Hamas attack, 1,200 Israelis died.
