Six Hostage Bodies Retrieved In Gaza, Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin Among Them

The bodies of six hostages, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were retrieved by the Israeli military on Saturday, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The bodies of two women and four men who were captured by Hamas during the terrorist organization’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel were discovered during an operation in southern Gaza, according to The Wall Street Journal. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the IDF confirmed the identities of Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Carmel Gat, 40, Almog Sarusi, 27, Alexander Lobanov, 32, Master Sgt. Ori Danino, 25 and 23-year-old Goldberg-Polin.

“They were all taken hostage on October 7 and were murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization while in captivity in Gaza. The IDF and ISA send their heartfelt condolences to the families. Israeli security forces are operating with all means to bring home all the hostages as fast as possible,” the IDF wrote.

While all hostages were initially believed to be alive, the IDF discovered six bodies in a Rafah tunnel less than a mile from where Israeli forces rescued hostage Qaid Farhan Al-Qadi on Tuesday, according to the WSJ. Although Israeli troops were unaware of the six hostages’ location at the time, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari told the outlet they were “cruelly murdered by Hamas just a short time before” the troops arrived.