A US citizen kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 massacre is among six hostages found murdered in Gaza, an Israeli official said.
The body of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, was recovered from a tunnel under the Gazan city of Rafah on Saturday, 10 months after his abduction during the atrocity that killed 1,200.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said the six were ‘cruelly murdered by Hamas just a short time before we got to them.’ And Biden said Goldberg-Polin had been ‘killed’ in a statement condemning Hamas.
Israeli officials said it took ‘many hours’ to identify the remains of the three men and three women recovered, Axios reported.
The others whose bodies were found are Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Carmel Gat, 39, Almog Sarusi, 26, Alex Lubnov, 26, and Ori Danino, 25.
Five of those who were recovered had been attending the Nova music festival when Hamas terrorists began slaughtering festivalgoers, while taking others hostage. Gat was at her family kibbutz when she was captured.
Goldberg-Polin lost his arm when a grenade exploded during the carnage.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin is among six hostages whose bodies were recovered Saturday. He was among victims taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7 massacre
Hersh’s left forearm, his dominant arm, was blown off during a grenade attack before he was taken captive by Hamas terrorists
Announcing the tragic news Saturday night, Biden said: ‘I am devastated and outraged.
‘Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7.
‘He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas’ savage massacre.’
Goldberg-Polin’s family also released a statement on the death.
‘With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh.
‘The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.
Just last month, Goldberg-Polin’s parents Jon and Rachel addressed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and pleaded for their son’s safe return.
Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the parents of 23-year-old American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, broke down in tears at the DNC last night as they begged their son to ‘survive’ and called for a ceasefire deal
Rachel Polin-Goldberg, who became overwhelmed with emotion at the DNC podium last night, told her son: ‘Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive’. The family are pictured together in a photo that was projected over the DNC stage yesterday
File image of festivalgoers fleeing as Hamas gunmen storm the Nova music festival on October 7 last year
People are seen sprinting from Hamas gunmen outside the Nova massacre
Speaking through tears, Rachel said: ”Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive.’
Goldberg-Polin was born in Berkeley, California. His family moved to Richmond, Virginia, then immigrated to Israel in 2008, when Goldberg-Polin was seven.
The Hamas victim was said to have been working on a soccer program intended to bring Israeli and Palestinian children together at the time of his abduction.
After Saturday’s recovery operation, 101 hostages abducted by Hamas remain in Gaza.
Ori Danino was taken captive by Hamas from the Nova Music Festival on October 7
Alex Lobanov was the head barman at the festival
Almog Sarusi was enjoyed the rave when Hamas terrorists attacked
Carmel Gat was visiting her family in Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7
Eden Yerushalmi was also abducted from the Nova music festival
Goldberg-Polin was last seen alive in a video released by Hamas in April.
A group representing families of hostages has condemned Israeli Prime Minister after accusing him of sabotaging a rescue deal.
The Hostage Families Forum Headquarters said Netanyahu’s call to maintain complete Israeli control along part of the Egypt-Gaza border had scuppered efforts to rescue their loved ones.
They have called for protests to take place on Sunday.