The deaths of six Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip were confirmed by their families just hours after the Israeli army said it had found bodies in the area.
The Israeli army said in a statement that the bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden El-Salmi, Hersh Goldberg-Porin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Salsi and Ori Danino had been transported to Israel.
All were kidnapped by Hamas-led militants on October 7, and their bodies were found in an underground tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
“According to our initial assessment, they were brutally killed by Hamas terrorists shortly before our arrival,” military spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said.
Neither Hamas nor its militias initially commented on the allegations.
US President Joe Biden said he was “devastated and outraged” by the news.
“It’s as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas’ leaders will pay a price for these crimes,” he said.
“And we will continue to work around the clock to reach an agreement to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”
US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken also sent condolences to Goldberg Polin’s parents.
Goldberg Polin’s parents are perhaps the best-known hostage relatives on the international stage, having met with Biden and Pope Francis and spoke at the United Nations.
On August 21, they spoke at the Democratic National Convention to a silent audience, who chanted “Take her home.”
A Hamas video from April showing Goldberg-Polin speaking under duress sparked new flames. Protests in Israel have called on the government to do more for their freedom and that of others.
“The Goldberg-Polin family is heartbroken to announce the death of our beloved son and brother, Hersh,” the family said in a statement.
“The family thanks everyone for their love and support and requests privacy during this time.”
Israel has confirmed all of the deaths at X.
Yerushalmi’s family said they “deeply regret the murder of our beloved Eden in Hamas captivity. We must bring her safely home.”
He then referred to hostages still being held by Hamas. “The highest bond between a state and its people is to ensure their safety. We have a sacred and urgent mission to bring them home.”
The Forum of Hostage Families called for mass protests on Sunday and demanded a “total shutdown of the country” to enforce a ceasefire and release the hostages.
The war began on October 7 when the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.
Subsequent Israeli military attacks in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 40,691 Palestinians and wounded 94,060, the exclave’s Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.