Aug. 31 (UPI) — The bodies of six Hamas-held hostages were recovered by Israeli Defense Forces in a tunnel under the Gaza city of Rafah, including Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, President Joe Biden said late Saturday.
IDF reported bodies were found but hadn’t publicly confirmed their identities or even if they were hostages. A total of 250 hostages were taken when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.
The families of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino and Eden Yerushalmi 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 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.”
Biden said in a statement 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.”
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.
The IDF earlier said it will not be able to confirm any specifics until the bodies have been returned to Israel and checked, likely Sunday.
“At this stage, the forces are still operating in the area and carrying out a process to extract and identify the bodies, which will last several hours,” the military said in statement.
After word bodies were found, Missing Families Forum demanded Netanyahu sign a hostage deal.
“Netanyahu abandoned the hostages! This is now a fact,” Hostage and Missing Families Forum said on X.
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. Plans are for more protests Sunday.
“Starting tomorrow the country will tremble. We call on the public to prepare. We will stop the country,” the statement continued.
Netanyahu hadn’t issued a statement as of early Sunday in Israel
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.
Biden earlier said he was optimistic about a ceasefire-for-hostages deal. 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.
Israel has said it is not supportive of a permanent cease-fire.
Around half of the hostages have been freed: 117 with 78 Israeli women and children
Eight hostages have been rescued by Israeli forces with the most recent Tuesday: Arab-Israeli Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52. There have been four rescues.
Hamas claims some hostages were killed in Israeli airstrikes.
And Israeli troops mistakenly killed three Israelis who escaped captivity in December.
