Bodies of Six More Hostages, Including an Israeli-American, Found in Gaza Strip

The Israeli army announced the discovery of the bodies of six more Israeli hostages in a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza, stating that they were "murdered shortly before being found." According to a statement from the Israeli army released on Sunday morning, September 11, the hostages included two women and four men. The Israeli army indicated that these six individuals were killed by the extremist group Hamas "probably one or two days before" their bodies were discovered. Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel. The families of the hostages expressed anger at the Israeli government's decision to remain in the Philadelphi route in Gaza. One of the discovered bodies belonged to Hersh Goldberg Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American citizen who, according to Axios, had become a symbol of American hostages to the extremist group Hamas. The family of this young Israeli was among those trying to exert maximum pressure on Netanyahu's government to negotiate with Hamas for the release of hostages. This family also attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago for this purpose. Shortly before the Israeli army's announcement on Sunday, U.S. President Joe Biden announced the news, stating, "Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes." Mr. Biden expressed his heartbreak and anger upon hearing the news, referring to his ongoing efforts to bring this American citizen back to his family. He added, "We will continue our round-the-clock work to achieve a deal for the release of the remaining hostages." According to the Israeli army, five of those whose bodies were discovered, including this Israeli-American citizen, were taken hostage at the Nova music festival in southern Israel, while the sixth, named Carmel Gat, was captured in Kibbutz Be'eri. The names of the other four hostages are Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lubanov, and Almog Sarusi. The Israeli army also stated that its forces began searching the tunnel network in the area the previous day (Saturday), and the bodies were discovered in the afternoon and then transferred to Israel. The report indicated that no clashes occurred inside the tunnel, and "the guards who likely killed these six have fled the area." On Saturday, the Israeli army had announced without details that it had discovered bodies in the Gaza Strip that "may belong to hostages." The release of this news triggered a wave of reactions in Israel, especially among the families of the hostages. According to Israeli media, the anger of these families, who had been upset in recent days due to the security-political cabinet's decision to continue the presence in the Philadelphi route, peaked after initial reports about the discovery of the hostages' bodies. The association of these families called for a "large demonstration" on Sunday, reiterating their criticisms of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Washington denied reports about the failure of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. The current war in Gaza began on October 7 of last year with an incursion by the extremist group Hamas into southern Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages. In response to this incursion, the Israeli army launched extensive military operations throughout the Gaza Strip, which, according to officials under Hamas, has resulted in over 40,000 deaths so far. According to Israeli media, with the discovery of the bodies of six hostages on Saturday, the number of hostages remaining alive or dead in the Gaza Strip has reached 101.