The bodies of six Israeli hostages were found by special forces in a tunnel in Gaza on Saturday.
The captives, who were kidnapped during the October 7 attacks, were located in Rafah, less than a mile from another tunnel where another hostage, Qaid Al-Alkadi, was found earlier in the week.
The Israeli Government has confirmed that the hostages were “brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.”
Among the deceased was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli who was previously shown in a proof-of-life video published by Hamas, where he was seen with one hand missing.
The other victims found in the tunnel include Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, Carmel Gat, and Eden Yerushalmi. According to a senior Israeli official, three of these hostages—Hersh, Carmel, and Eden—were set to be released as part of a ceasefire deal that recently fell apart.
““Hersh, Carmel and Eden were all on the list of hostages set to be released in the July 2 ceasefire proposal presented by Biden. We could have saved them,” the official lamented.
US Vice President Kamala Harris also offered her condolences to the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, reiterating that “President Biden and I will never waver in our commitment to free the Americans and all those held hostage in Gaza.”
The Hostages Forum, representing the families of those held captive, issued a statement announcing a “complete halt of the country” through mass demonstrations.
They, along with opposition leaders, are calling for widespread protests against the government, accusing it of failing to secure the safe return of the hostages.
“Netanyahu hesitates, is afraid and plays for time due to political considerations instead of acting. A game that costs human life”, Benny Gantz, the leader of the opposition party, National Unity, said, calling for a protest against the government.
“This morning our students go to school, and the public has to go out into the street. The time has come to replace the government of absolute failure. Go out and demonstrate.”
“Instead of making a deal they are doing politics, instead of saving lives, they are burying the hostages. Instead of doing everything to bring them home, Netanyahu is doing everything to stay in power. The government of disasters is burying the State of Israel,” another opposition leader, Yair Lapid said.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated that “the heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces with the news of the murder” of the hostages. He also expressed his deep regret for not being able to bring them home safely.
As the violence in Gaza continues, with more than 40,000 Palestinians reported killed and tens of thousands more injured, efforts to reach a ceasefire remain in limbo.
President Biden, however, expressed cautious optimism, saying: “I think we’re on the verge of having an agreement. It’s time this war ended.”