Sep 1, 2024 - Politics & Policy
Israel recovers bodies of six hostages
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Israel Defense Forces said they recovered the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, including a U.S. citizen — Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, whose parents appealed for the hostages' release during the Democratic National Convention.
- After the operation, 101 hostages remain in Gaza, Axios' Barak Ravid reports.
Five of the hostages were kidnapped by Hamas from the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7. The sixth, Carmel Gat, was taken from the community of Be'eri.
- IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the hostages were murdered by Hamas guards "shortly before IDF forces reached them."
- President Biden said the bodies of the hostages were recovered from a tunnel under the city of Rafah in southern Gaza.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin became the symbol of the American hostages held by Hamas.
- Goldberg-Polin was last seen in a video released by Hamas in April.
- When his parents spoke at the DNC, thousands in the audience chanted: "Bring them back!"
Biden said in a statement last night that Goldberg-Polin's parents "have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions."
- "Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes," Biden continued. "And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages."
- Vice President Harris said: "The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel — and American citizens in Israel — must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza. The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas' rule for nearly two decades."
