The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they allegedly found the bodies of six prisoners detained by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in a tunnel in Rafah.
The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danin were brought to Israel, the IDF said in a statement.
“According to our initial assessment, they were brutally killed, Hamas killed them shortly before we got to them,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters at a briefing, which was reported by all the world’s media including Al Jazeera, the Times of Israel, Guardian…
He also says that his army was fighting above ground in the area where the tunnel was located.
Hamas has so far not commented on these allegations by the IDF.
On the other hand, US President Joe Biden published a statement in which he confirmed the news.
“Earlier today, in a tunnel under the town of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas. I am devastated and outraged,” Biden said.
The family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin also released a statement early Sunday saying he had been killed in the Gaza Strip.
“With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the passing of their beloved son and brother Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and requests privacy at this time,” the family said.
The leader of the opposition in Israel, Yair Lapid, also commented on the discovery of the bodies of the six hostages. He wrote on his X that such things are “heartbreaking for the whole country, except for those who lead it”.
“Instead of coming to an agreement, they engage in politics, instead of saving lives, they bury hostages. Instead of doing everything to bring them home, Netanyahu is doing everything to stay in power. The government of disaster is burying the State of Israel,” he wrote.
