Bodies of 6 hostages recovered from Gaza identified; who're they
What's the story
The Israeli military has recovered the bodies of six hostages, who were kidnapped last year, from a tunnel in southern Gaza. The victims were reportedly killed shortly before Israeli troops arrived at the scene. "According to our initial estimation, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short time before we reached them," military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters on Sunday.
Victim identification
Hostages identified, Biden expresses outrage
The victims have been identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. They were all abducted during Hamas's October 7 attack. "I am devastated and outraged," US President Joe Biden said in a statement issued by the White House. "He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas' savage massacre. He had just turned 23," the statement read. Biden has vowed that "Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes."
Rescue operation
Israeli troops rescue Bedouin community member
Days before the tragic discovery, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a member of the Bedouin community in southern Israel, was rescued approximately a kilometer away from where the bodies were found. Following Alkadi's rescue, Israeli troops were instructed to exercise caution due to potential hostages in the vicinity. However, there was no precise information on their location at that time.
Twitter Post
They were all below 40 years
The IDF confirms it retrieved from Gaza the bodies of 6 hostages who were kidnapped by Hamas on October 7.
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) September 1, 2024
Hersh Goldberg, 23 🕯️
Eden Yerushalmi, 24 🕯️
Carmel Gat, 39 🕯️
Almog Sarusi, 26 🕯️
Alex Lubnov, 32 🕯️
Ori Danino, 25 🕯️
May their memories be a blessing 💔 pic.twitter.com/XucTjB6Yj0
Conflict aftermath
Hamas silent on accusations, Palestinian casualties reported
Hamas and its armed wing have not yet responded to the accusations. The Gaza Strip's health ministry reported that at least 40,691 Palestinians have been killed and 94,060 injured since Israel's military offensive began on October 7. The conflict was triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and approximately 250 hostages taken as per Israeli records.
Public outcry
Activist group calls for protest against Netanyahu government
Meanwhile, Hostage Forum, a prominent activist group, has called for a protest against the Benjamin Netanyahu government. "Netanyahu abandoned the hostages. It is now a fact. Starting tomorrow, the country will tremble," the group stated. Opposition leader Yair Lapid also criticized Netanyahu, accusing him of neglecting significant issues as "our sons and daughters are being abandoned and dying in captivity."