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‘As Tragic As It Is Reprehensible’: American Citizen Among Six Hostages Killed By Hamas

ISRAEL PALESTINIAN CONFLICT HOSTAGES PROTEST

(Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

Ilan Hulkower Contributor
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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they identified the murdered bodies of six hostages recovered Saturday from the Gaza Strip.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American citizen, was identified by the IDF as among those killed by Hamas in a post to social media.

Goldberg-Polin, 23, was taken hostage by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 while he was at the Nova music festival, The New York Times reported. He lost part of his left arm during the attack at the festival and was last seen in a Hamas propaganda video released in April, the outlet reported.

Goldberg-Polin became a cause célèbre in the United States as his family advocated the release of hostages, the outlet reported. His mother and father addressed the Democratic National Convention in August, paying tribute to their son and demanding an end to his captivity, The New York Times noted.

President Joe Biden released a statement Saturday saying he was “devastated and outraged” at the development. “It is as tragic as it is reprehensible,” Biden said. (RELATED: ‘Ceasefire Is Dead’: Biden Admin Shifts Focus To Freeing Hostages In Gaza As Chances Of Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Crumble)

“He planned to travel the world. I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable,” Biden added. The president vowed that the Hamas leadership “will pay for these crimes” and that his administration will work “to secure the release of the remaining hostages” in a deal with Hamas.

Following Mass earlier Saturday, Biden acknowledged the news of the discovery of the bodies. Speaking with reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Biden said it was “time to end this war” and that “we are on the verge of having an agreement.”

“The blood of our brothers cries out to us. Our sisters and brothers are still there [in captivity in Gaza] enduring Hell. The supreme covenant between the state and its citizens is to ensure their safety. We have the sacred and urgent mission to bring them home,” Israel President Isaac Herzog tweeted.

Vice President Kamala Harris issued a statement Saturday in which she “strongly condemn[ed] Hamas’ continued brutality.” She continued, saying, “The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel—and American citizens in Israel—must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza.”

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, when asked to react to the news of the hostages’ bodies being found, abruptly departed from reporters.

Former President Donald Trump, in a Sunday tweet, called the deaths of the hostages “senseless” and blamed Biden and Harris for being “poor Leaders [sic].”


Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the IDF’s spokesperson, said the six hostages were gunned down by Hamas only a day or two prior to Israel finding their bodies, The Times of Israel reported. The hostages were found in a tunnel close to where Qaid Farhan Alkadi, an Israeli hostage, was rescued Tuesday by the IDF, the spokesperson noted.