On Saturday, the Israeli Defense Forces recovered the bodies of six hostages abducted by Hamas militants during the October 7 attacks, including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
The other victims are Eden Yerushalmi (24), Carmel Gat (39), Almog Sarusi (26), Alex Lubnov (32), and Ori Danino (25).
“I am devastated and outraged. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas’ savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world,” President Biden said.
“I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. 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.”
“He who murders abductees – does not want a deal. We are in a difficult day. The heart of the entire nation was torn,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “Along with all the citizens of Israel, I was shocked to the core by the terrible cold-blooded murder of six of our abductees.”
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino.
This ongoing grief and outrage was brutally sown on 10/7.
Hamas owns this entire humanitarian catastrophe and my support for Israel is unbreakable. pic.twitter.com/OKPvZVNd43
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) September 1, 2024
Their bodies were found in a tunnel in Raffah, a militant stronghold in Gaza, amid concerns from the Biden-Harris Administration regarding military operations in the area.
President Biden expressed devastation over Goldberg-Polin’s death, highlighting his bravery during the attacks.
The IDF suggests the hostages were killed as Israeli forces attempted a rescue, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu condemning their murders and acknowledging the ongoing hostage situation, with fewer than 100 believed to still be held.
