IDF confirms recovery of 6 hostages murdered by Hamas from Rafah tunnel on Saturday

The IDF and Shin Bet forces retrieved the bodies of six Israeli hostages from an underground tunnel in Rafah, situated near the Egyptian border in Gaza, and returned them to Israel.

The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino were located in a tunnel 20 meters (65 feet) below ground and about one kilometer away (half mile) from the tunnel where Qaid Farhan al-Qadi was discovered last week.

The bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino were found and recovered yesterday.

They were all taken hostage on October 7 and were murdered by the Hamas terrorist organization while in captivity… pic.twitter.com/9VWYHNX0Ks
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 1, 2024

The IDF announced the recovery of the bodies on Saturday night, but the identities of the hostages could not be confirmed until after they were returned to Israel.

The military believes the hostages could have been killed by Hamas after the rescue of al-Qadi, in order to prevent them from being rescued. The IDF clarified that the hostages were not killed as a result of IDF activity, as no force was used by the troops in that area.

On Sunday morning, Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued condolences to the families of the hostages.

“The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces with the news of the murder of Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Eden Yerushalmi.”

Herzog asked forgiveness from the families “for failing to bring them home safely.”

The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces with the news of the murder of Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Eden Yerushalmi, whose bodies were brought back from Gaza in a military operation.

On behalf of the State of…
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) September 1, 2024

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum announced the deaths on 𝕏, stating: "It is with great sadness that we once again announce the murder of 6 abductees. 6 men and women who were kidnapped alive and survived the inferno in captivity and were murdered in cold blood."

The group blasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of failing to secure a hostage release deal.

"If it weren't for the torpedos, the excuses and the spins, the abductees whose deaths we learned this morning would probably be alive."

More about the recovered hostages

Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was born in California and moved to Israel with his family when he was 7. He was living in Jerusalem when he attended the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 6. The following morning, during the Hamas invasion, his left hand was blown off by a grenade. He was seen entering a pickup truck with a mangled arm along with five other people.

In April, Hamas released a video of Goldberg-Polin, where he addressed his family, telling them: “Mom, Dad, Libby and Orly, I love you very much and miss you very much. I think of you every day I'm here. I know you're doing everything you can to get me home as soon as possible.”

Goldberg-Polin's parents, Rachel and Jon, spoke at the Democratic National Convention two weeks ago and, before that, at the RNC, where they said that the hostage situation is a humanitarian issue, not a political issue. They have launched advocacy campaigns and joined other groups calling for the Israeli government to secure a hostage release deal.

Eden Yerushalmi

Eden Yerushalmi, a 24-year-old pilates teacher, was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival, where she was working as a bartender. Eden tried to escape in a car with several friends, before the vehicle was struck by Hamas fire, killing her friends.

Afraid of being caught, she ran to nearby woods where she hid for about four hours. During that time, Eden kept in contact with Shani, her sister, as well as first responders. In a call with Shani, the terrorists could be heard approaching right before Eden whispered, “They caught me.”

Carmel Gat

Carmel Gat, an occupational therapist, was taken captive from Kibbutz Be’eri on Oct. 7. Carmel’s sister-in-law, Yarden Roman Gat, was also captured and released during the November hostage deal. Gat led hostages with guided yoga exercises and meditation, according to former hostages. Carmel Gat turned 40 years old during her captivity in Gaza before her murder by Hamas.

Ori Danino

Ori Danino, also captured from the Nova Festival, turned 25 in Hamas captivity. He was captured alongside friends Omer Shem-Tov, who remains in captivity, and siblings Maya and Itai Regev, who were freed in the November hostage release deal. Ori initially tried to drive the group to safety in his car, but after being shot at from several angles, the group left the car to try to hide. Maya and Itai were both hit by bullets and shortly after, the four were captured by Hamas terrorists.

Almog Sarusi

Almog Sarusi (26) was kidnapped from Nova by terrorists on Oct. 7. Sarusi’s partner, Shahar Gindi was murdered during the attack at the festival. He was described by family and friends as “a lively guy, who loves nature and mankind, who travels all over the country with his white jeep and guitar.”

Alexander Lobanov

Alexander Lobanov, a 32-year-old Russian-Israeli, was kidnapped from the Nova Festival, where he was working as a bar manager. Initial reports indicated he had run away from the festival grounds with five other people, and that Lobanov told his wife, Michal, not to worry.

Alex assisted several people in escaping but was captured himself, a fact that was only confirmed after 18 days. Michal, his wife, gave birth to their second son, Kai, in February. The couple also has a two-year-old son.

Following the return of the hostages bodies, 97 of the 251 hostages abducted by Hamas on Oct. 7 remain in captivity in Gaza. This latest figure includes the bodies of at least 33 hostages who have already been confirmed deceased by Israel Defense Forces.

Please pray for the remaining hostages.