
Israel military recovers bodies of 6 hostages from Gaza Strip trunnel
Jerusalem: Israel military Sunday recovered the bodies of six hostages, held by Hamas, from a tunnel in the Gaza Strip, where they were killed not long before the troops reached.
"According to our initial estimation, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short time before we reached them," said military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, reported Reuters.
In a post on X, Israel Defence Forces said, “They were all taken hostage on October 7 and were murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization while in captivity in Gaza.”
The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino were found and recovered yesterday.
"The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces," said President Isaac Herzog, whose post is largely ceremonial. "I embrace their families with all my heart, and apologize for failing to bring them home safely."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not release a statement immediately over the brutal killing of the hostages.
According to the report, he is under pressure to reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that includes the release of remaining hostages.
U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement he was “devastated and outraged.”
Biden, who monitored the situation of the hostages seized on Oct. 7, said the six included Israeli American Goldberg-Polin.
Senior Hamas official Izzat El-Reshiq said that Israel, in its refusal to sign a ceasefire deal, was responsible for the deaths.
According to Israel's Hagari, hostage Qaid Farhan Alkadi from the Bedouin community in southern Israel, was rescued days earlier, about a kilometre away.
The six recovered bodies were among the 250 hostages taken during Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
The assault resulted in around 1,200 deaths, according to Israeli reports.
Since then, the health ministry in Gaza has reported at least 40,691 Palestinians killed and 94,060 injured in Israel's military counter-attack.
Sunday's developments are likely to intensify protests by Israelis demanding a deal for the hostages' release.
The Hostage Families Forum has called on Netanyahu to take responsibility and clarify what is delaying an agreement.
Top Headlines
-
News
Russia hits Kyiv with drones, missiles, four dead
June 06, 2025
-
News
IPL title victory stampede: RCB marketing chief Nikhil Sosale arrested
June 05, 2025
-
News
US court blocks Trumps global tariffs; dismisses 'India-Pak ceasefire' arguments
May 29, 2025
-
News
India rejects Team Trump's latest claim on tariffs' role behind ceasefire with Pakistan
May 29, 2025
-
News
We sign contracts, knowing they will never come: Air Force chief slams delay in defence deliveries
May 29, 2025
-
News
We sign contracts, knowing they will never come: Air Force chief slams delay in defence deliveries
May 29, 2025
-
News
Days not far when people of PoK will voluntarily reunite with India: Rajnath Singh
May 29, 2025
-
News
Elon Musk expresses 'disappointment' over Trump's 'big, beautiful bill', says it will 'increase budget deficit'
May 28, 2025
-
News
'We eliminated Hamas' Gaza chief Muhammad Sinwar': Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
May 28, 2025
-
News
Terrorism, Pakistan and a united India: Listen to what Bharat's multiparty emissaries are messaging to the world
May 28, 2025