The Israeli military has confirmed the bodies of six hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October have been recovered from a tunnel in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip, Reuters reports.
The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino were brought to Israel, the IDF said in a statement.
“According to our initial estimation, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short time before we reached them,” military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters in a briefing.
Hamas and its armed wing did not immediately comment on the accusations.
US President Joe Biden issued a statement confirming the news.
“Earlier today, in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas,” Biden said. “I am devastated and outraged.”
The family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin also issued a statement early on Sunday saying he had been killed in the Gaza Strip.
“With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh,” it said. “The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
Source: The Guardian
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