Memorial garden at BU for 6 hostages found dead in Gaza

VESTAL, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – The local Jewish community gathered at Binghamton University for a solemn march around campus, in honor of the 6 hostages that were killed in Gaza earlier this week.

The bodies of six hostages held by Hamas were recovered in an underground tunnel in Gaza on Sunday.

Hundreds of students, staff and Jewish community members walked a lap around campus yesterday while being completely silent.

People were displaying Israeli flags and holding up signs with the names of the six hostages that were killed by Hamas, including an American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

After the walk, the group held a memorial ceremony, where they read the obituaries of all six hostages, sang psalms, and lit remembrance candles.

“It’s like October 7th all over again, and we really feel everyone’s pain and we want to stand here and show our support. And show the families that we didn’t forget about them, that we’re mourning with them, and show that we’re all united as one. And that we’re here shining light in the darkness,” says Senior at B.U. Lynn Pichotto.

The group created a memorial garden on the peace quad, with different colors representing the hostages that have been taken, killed, or are still being held captive.

One of the hostages still being held is Omer Nuetra, who was accepted into Binghamton University but deferred to visit Israel.

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