The bodies of six hostages kidnapped during the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7 have been recovered in Gaza, including that of American of Israeli origin Hersh Goldberg-Polin, US President Joe Biden announced on Saturday (31.08.2024).
“Early today, in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas,” the president said in a statement. “We have confirmed that one of the hostages was an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin,” he added.
The Israeli army confirmed on Sunday that it had recovered the bodies of six hostages from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area, south of the Gaza Strip, and confirmed their return to Israeli territory.
The military said it had identified the remains of the six hostages and revealed that they were killed “shortly before” their bodies were found on Saturday.
Families announce protest against Netanyahu
The deceased have been identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino.
Around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the besieged Palestinian territory and 33 have been declared dead by the Israeli military.
Following the news, representatives of the Forum for Hostages and Missing Families issued a statement announcing an unprecedented protest mobilization, as the country embarks on a week of nationwide demonstrations that had their first call on Saturday night.
“Netanyahu has abandoned the hostages. Now it is a fact. Starting tomorrow the country will tremble, we invite the population to prepare,” the organization said in a statement to the local press.
Hersh’s Story
Hersh Goldberg-Polin was 23 years old and one of 251 people captured by Hamas during the October attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.
His parents confirmed his death on Sunday in a Facebook post.
“The Goldberg-Polin family is heartbroken to announce the passing of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks everyone for their love and support and asks for privacy at this time,” the family wrote.
The parents of Goldberg-Polin, who was taken prisoner during the Supernova music festival, addressed delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month.
His son had hidden in an air raid shelter with other people on 7 October, but was surrounded by gunmen, who attacked him with grenades.
A video released by Hamas that day showed him being loaded into a van without part of his left arm, which was torn off in the attack. He later appeared in a proof-of-life recording released by the group on April 24, in which he said the captives were living “in hell.” His left arm had been amputated below the elbow.
Just four months ago, in another propaganda video released by Hamas on April 24, Hersh could be seen in good health, reading a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for not doing enough to free the hostages.
“Benjamin Netanyahu and his government should be ashamed,” the young man said at the time.
Her family is also one of the most active in the fight for the return of the captives. In November, her mother Rachel was one of 12 relatives who met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, and the two parents have always been very explicit about the urgency of reaching a truce agreement.
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2024-09-03 05:06:24