Six hostages' bodies found in Gaza, including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Aug. 31 (UPI) -- The bodies of six Hamas -held hostages, including that of 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were recovered by the Israel Defense Forces in a tunnel under the Gaza city of Rafah, the Israeli military said Sunday.

The four men and two women were murdered around a day or two before the Israeli troops found them, IDF said . Troops, who began to search a tunnel complex Saturday, did not clash with anyone inside the tunnel.

Identified were Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33, who were abducted with Goldberg-Polin from a music festival during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis. Carmel Gat, 40, was taken from the nearby farming community of Be'eri.

Bring Them Home, a group of families and friends of abductees, posted on X "they could have been reunited with their families if a deal had been reached earlier."

The Hostages Families Forum bows its head in mourning for the murder in captivity of Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Carmel Gat, and Eden Yerushalmi, may their memory be a blessing.

These six hostages, kidnapped alive on October 7th, were later... pic.twitter.com/pBtn0hfLdF — Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) September 1, 2024

A total of 251 hostages were taken when Hamas attacked Israel. About 100 are still being held captive by the Iran-backed militia. Some are believed to be dead.

The families of Goldberg-Polin, Danino and Yerushalmi earlier confirmed their deaths .

"With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time," the family said in a statement.

Goldberg-Polin, who was born in California and moved to Israel when he was 7, was among the young revelers taken at gunpoint by Hamas militants at the Nova music festival. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers.

The 23-year-old's parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, were pushing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to seek a deal securing the hostages' return.

They gave an emotional address at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 21.

"This is a political convention, but needing our only son -- and all of the cherished hostages home -- is not a political issue," Jon Polin said to "Bring them home" cheers. "It is a humanitarian issue."

U.S. President Joe Biden announced the deaths of six hostages late Saturday from Delaware before confirmation from IDF.

He said he was "devastated and outraged" at the news.

"I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel," Biden said. "They have been courageous, wise and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable. They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express.

"I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. 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."

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris also issued a statement .

"When I met with Jon and Rachel earlier this year, I told them: You are not alone," the Democratic presidential nominee said. "That remains true as they mourn this terrible loss. ... As is said in the Jewish tradition, may Hersh's memory be a blessing.

"Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. .. 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."

In April , Hamas released a video of Goldberg-Polin when he was still alive on their Telegram channel.

After word bodies were found, Missing Families Forum demanded Netanyahu sign a hostage deal.

"Netanyahu abandoned the hostages! This is now a fact," the organization said.

Thousands earlier rallied at Hostage Square in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and in front of Netanyahu's residence on Saturday night. There were plans for more demonstrations for Sunday.

"Starting tomorrow the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare. We will stop the country," the statement continued.

President Isaac Herzog of Israel said in a statement that the "heart of an entire nation is crushed into pieces.

"In the name of the entire State of Israel, I hold their families in my heart and ask forgiveness. Forgiveness for not being able to return your loved ones home safely."

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said: "While our sons and daughters are abandoned and die in captivity, Netanyahu is busy spinning the narrative."

"We will continue to stand by the families and hug and protect them in difficult times," he added.

Netanyahu issued a statement later Sunday, decrying what happened.

Biden earlier said he was optimistic about a ceasefire-for-hostages deal that he's been working to secure for months. The parties involved in the negotiation have said they "agree on the principles."

"It's time this war ended," Biden told media in Delaware. "I think we're on the verge of having an agreement. It's time to end it. It's time to finish it."

The United States, Qatar and Egypt have served as mediators.

The mediators have proposed a first phase involving a six-week ceasefire, a second phase that would release all hostages and a withdrawal of all IDF presence from Gaza, and a third reconstruction phase. This has been the plan proposed by Biden in late May.

Israel has said it is not supportive of a permanent cease-fire.