EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Multiple local elected officials put out statements in response to the news of six hostages held by Hamas being found dead in Gaza.

“My family & I mourn with the families of Hersh, Carmel, Eden, Alexander, Almog and Ori,” Massachusetts Congressman Jake Auchincloss wrote on X , formerly known as Twitter. “May their memory be for a blessing.”

Auchincloss noted that one of the hostages, 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, had “strong connections” to Massachusetts and that he met his parents.

“Their courage in the middle of every parent’s nightmare should strengthen the resolve of all Americans to return all hostages, through means military and diplomatic,” Auchincloss said.

“Hamas murdered these hostages, knowing that rescue was imminent,” Auchincloss continued. “It is further evidence of the unbounded depravity of these terrorists. Together, the United States and Israel will get justice.”

Congressman Gabe Amo, who is on the House’s Committee on Foreign Affairs , told 12 News since in office he’s “met with the families of those taken hostage by Hamas,” which included a roundtable in July attended by Goldberg-Polin’s parents.

“I am devastated for the loss of their American-born son, Hersh, along with five other Israeli hostages who were brutally murdered by Hamas over the weekend,” Amo said. “I grieve alongside the families and loved ones of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov and Ori Danino.”

Amo also emphasized his calls “for a lasting ceasefire” that results in the release of all hostages “and surges humanitarian aid into Gaza.”

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey spoke about the topic Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” echoing the sentiment shared by Vice President Kamala Harris.

“She’s been very clear about the need for America to continue to stand by Israel, for the hostages to come home, for there to be a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution here,” Healey said. “And I think the way she has articulated this has been both with compassion and also with a very clear understanding about what needs to happen.”

Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island President and CEO Adam Greenman told 12 News “there’s just profound sadness that this has happened.”

“Anger that these hostages were murdered by Hamas as their rescuers were getting close,” Greenman said, adding that “these feelings of sadness” have been going on since Oct. 7, 2023.

Greenman also reacted to the increased calls for a deal to get the remaining hostages back home.

“We’re clearly seeing many, many Israelis are looking for these hostages to come home, for a deal to be made to bring these hostages home,” he said. “I think it’s something that our local community and Jews across the country are praying for every single day.”

A vigil is being held at Dwares JCC in Providence on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

The gathering will include prayers for the hostages and speeches by those who were impacted by what happened on that day last year.

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