Israel recovers bodies of six hostages held by Hamas in Gaza

JERUSALEM,— The Israeli military has recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in southern Gaza. The victims, who were held by Hamas, were reportedly killed shortly before Israeli troops reached the site, according to military sources on Sunday.

The bodies were discovered in the city of Rafah, where Israeli forces have been conducting operations in response to the October 7 attack that marked the beginning of renewed hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

This grim discovery coincided with the launch of a polio vaccination campaign in the war-torn region, while violence continues to escalate in the occupied West Bank.

The deceased have been identified as Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, informed reporters during a briefing that these individuals had been brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before Israeli forces arrived.

“Our preliminary assessment suggests they were killed moments before our forces arrived,” Hagari stated. The news of their deaths adds to the already heavy toll of the conflict, which has seen numerous lives lost on both sides.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing mounting pressure as the conflict with Hamas in Gaza approaches its 11th month, reiterated his commitment to pursuing those responsible for the killings.

“We will not rest until we have caught those who murdered these hostages,” Netanyahu declared, rejecting any suggestion of a ceasefire without a resolution on the remaining hostages.

In contrast, senior Hamas officials have blamed Israel for the deaths, accusing Netanyahu of obstructing a potential deal that could have secured the hostages’ release.

“Netanyahu is responsible for the killing of Israeli prisoners,” said Sami Abu Zuhri, a high-ranking Hamas official. “The Israelis need to choose between Netanyahu and reaching a deal.”

The bodies recovered from Rafah are among the 250 individuals who were taken hostage during the unprecedented Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel on October 7 last year. This attack, the deadliest Palestinian militant operation in Israeli history, resulted in over 1,200 deaths, according to Israeli sources.

The discovery of these bodies leaves 101 Israeli and foreign captives still held in Gaza. However, it is believed that a significant number of these hostages have also died, though their exact fate remains unclear.

The October 7 assault, which saw gunmen from Hamas—a group internationally recognized as a terrorist organization—launch a deadly offensive against Israeli communities and military installations in the south, has been met with fierce retaliation from Israel. The Israeli government has vowed to eradicate Hamas, a militant group that has ruled Gaza for years.

The conflict has resulted in devastating casualties on both sides. While Israeli sources continue to pursue their military objectives, Hamas-affiliated health officials in Gaza have claimed that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing hostilities. However, these figures are viewed with skepticism due to the close ties between the officials and Hamas, with many believing the true number to be significantly lower.

The news of the recovered bodies has sparked renewed calls within Israel for a resolution to the hostage crisis. The Hostage Families Forum, a group representing the relatives of those still held captive, has urged Netanyahu to take immediate action.

“These hostages survived nearly 11 months of torment, only to be murdered just before their possible rescue,” the forum said in a statement. “The delay in reaching an agreement has led to the deaths of these individuals and many others.”

Rear Admiral Hagari also revealed that, just days before the discovery of the bodies in Rafah, Israeli forces had successfully rescued another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a member of Israel’s Bedouin community.

Alkadi was found approximately a kilometer away from the tunnel where the six hostages were later discovered. Following his rescue, troops were instructed to proceed with caution, given the possibility of more hostages in the vicinity. However, no precise information regarding their exact location was available at the time.

As Israel continues its operations in Gaza, the situation remains tense, with no clear resolution in sight. The ongoing conflict has not only caused significant loss of life but also left a deep impact on the region, fueling further unrest and complicating efforts toward peace.

(With files from Reuters)