Hamas has killed six hostages just before Israeli forces could reach them in a tunnel beneath the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, according to Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari who said they “were cruelly murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.”
The Israel Health Ministry said all six had been shot last Thursday or Friday. The IDF said their bodies were recovered from a tunnel around a kilometre from where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkali, 52, a Bedouin security guard, was rescued alive last week.
Five of the victims had been taken from the Supernova music music festival on October 7 last year. They have been identified as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, who had lost part of his left arm to a grenade explosion in the October attacks. The sixth victim, Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from the Be’eri kibbutz close to the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not rest until those responsible for their killing “in cold blood” are brought to justice. He vowed that his government was committed to achieving a deal to release those remaining in captivity and protect the country’s security. “Whoever murders hostages – does not want a deal,” he declared.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said the “heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces with the news” of the murders. “On behalf of the State of Israel, I embrace their families with all my heart, and apologise for failing to bring them home safely.”
The Hostages Families Forum which represents the families of those taken captive, said the six hostages were “murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity.” It demanded that Mr. Netanyahu “address the nation and take responsibility for abandoning the hostages”.
It claimed: “The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages. A deal for the return of the hostages has been on the table for over two months. Were it not for the delays, sabotage, and excuses those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive.”
At Almog Sarusi’s funeral his mother said: “You were abandoned on and on, daily, hour after hour, 331 days. You and so many beautiful and pure souls.”
In possibly the largest demonstration since October 7, tens of thousands of Israelis surged onto their nation’s streets on Sunday night, demanding that Mr. Netanyahu reach a ceasefire with Hamas, so that no more hostages die. Some wept outside the Prime Minister’s Jerusalem office. Hostages’ family members marched with symbolic coffins in Tel Aviv.
Israel’s largest trade has called a nationwide general strike for Monday (September 2) in support of a ceasefire agreement to free the remaining 101 hostages. It is likely to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy such as banking, health care and the country’s main airport.
US President Joe Biden said he was “devastated and outraged” by the death of American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. “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.”
“Hersh lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas’ savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world. I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable,” the president said.
Vice President and the Democrat Party’s presidential contender Kamala Harris said her prayers were with the Goldberg-Polin family and condemned Hamas.
In April, a Hamas-issued video showed Mr. Goldberg-Polin with his left hand missing and clearly speaking under duress — sparking new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others’ freedom.
His parents, US-born immigrants to Israel, were among the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage. They met with President Biden and Pope Francis and addressed the United Nations, urging the release of all hostages. Most recently, they addressed the US Democratic National Convention to extended applause and chants of “bring him home.”
“This is a political convention. But needing our only son — and all of the cherished hostages — home is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue,” said his father, Jon Polin. His mother Rachel who bowed her head during the ovation and touched her chest, said “Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive.”
Photo: Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
