Israeli forces recovered the bodies of six hostages from an underground tunnel in Rafah in southern Gaza overnight Saturday.
The hostages were identified as Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Almog Sarusi, 25, Alexander Lobanov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino, 25.
“A few hours ago, we informed the families that the bodies of their loved ones had been located by Israel Defense Forces troops in a tunnel in Rafah. According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them,” said IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
All six were kidnapped alive during the Hamas-led assault on the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7.
Daniel Hagari’s eyes say it all.
Our hearts are broken, but our spirit—our spirit will never be broken.
💔 pic.twitter.com/9TyVYFkblK— daniel hanukha (@israelifihther) September 1, 2024
“I commend the IDF and [Israel Security Agency] for conducting a complex operation to retrieve the bodies of the hostages for burial in Israel,” said Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday.
“They were held hostage by Hamas and murdered in cold blood. May their memory be a blessing,” he added.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that “the heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces with the news…. On behalf of the State of Israel, I embrace their families with all my heart, and apologize for failing to bring them home safely.
“We will continue to fight relentlessly against the criminal, terrorist organization Hamas, which has once again proven there is no end to its willingness to commit murder and crimes against humanity,” he continued.
“The blood of our brothers cries out to us. Our sisters and brothers are still there enduring hell. The supreme covenant between the state and its citizens is to ensure their safety. We have the sacred and urgent mission to bring them home,” added Herzog.
US President Joe Biden stated that he was “devastated and outraged” after US citizen Goldberg-Polin was identified among the bodies recovered.
Biden vowed that “Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes,” adding that the United States “will keep working around the clock” to secure a ceasefire deal to release the rest of the hostages.
Last month, the IDF and ISA recovered the bodies of six other hostages kidnapped on Oct. 7, from a tunnel in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
The bodies of Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtav, Chaim Peri and Alex Dancyg were located more than 10 months after the Hamas massacre.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces rescued a hostage alive from Hamas captivity in Gaza. Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, a father of 11 from the Bedouin city of Rahat in the Negev, was rescued from a tunnel in southern Gaza.
A day later, the IDF recovered the body of a soldier who was killed fighting Hamas terrorists during the Oct. 7 invasion.
At the request of the soldier’s family, his name has not yet been made public.
With reporting by JNS.
My sadness, like all, is palpable. But, there is no dealing with evil incarnate!
Exodus 23:32
“You shall not make a covenant with them or with their gods. They shall not live in your land, because they will make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it is certain to be a trap for you [resulting in judgment].”
Deuteronomy 7:2-3
“You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons.”
Exodus 23:32
“You shall not make a covenant with them or with their gods. They shall not live in your land, because they will make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it is certain to be a trap for you [resulting in judgment].”
When sinwar is captured, it is too bad the IDF won’t turn him over to the family’s of those hostages he killed. If I remember right, the scripture is in agreement with that.
Someone correct me if I am wrong.