Israeli military says bodies of six hostages recovered in Gaza

This combination of six undated photos shows hostages, from top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, from bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat, who were held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza. Picture: The Hostages Families Forum via AP

The bodies of six hostages taken by Hamas have been recovered from Gaza, according to the Israel Defence Forces.

In a statement posted on X, the IDF said the bodies of Carmel Gat, 40, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Alexander Lobanov,33, Almog Sarusi, 27, and Ori Danino, 25, were found and recovered yesterday.

President Michael D Higgins called for an end to the killing, following the news of the hostages, describing it as a "hopeless strategy".

"As images appear in the media of the six hostages whose bodies have been recovered in Gaza, one’s heart can only go out to their families who now have to carry what must be an unbearable grief in addition to the agony which they have faced since their abduction eleven months ago.

"All of this killing must stop. Piling the dead upon the dead is a hopeless strategy when what is needed is an engagement with current and long neglected issues that will enable life to be made possible for all in the region.

The president asked that the international community come together to call for the release of all remaining hostages, an immediate ceasefire, an exchange of prisoners and for all necessary aid to be provided to those who need it.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said the deaths of the six hostages is "heartbreaking" and an "outrage."

"This is the latest outrage and atrocity in a year of bloody inhumanity. This violence and death cannot continue and every life that can be saved, must be saved," he said in a statement on Sunday morning. 

"We need an immediate and lasting ceasefire. Ireland calls on Hamas and the Netanyahu government to make this a reality.

"All remaining hostages should be returned to their families and aid needs to flow freely to Gaza before the humanitarian catastrophe deepens.

"Ireland’s solidarity and sympathy are today with the families and the communities of the six innocent hostages confirmed dead," Mr Harris added. 

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the taking and holding of hostages is "reprehensible and unconscionable in any all circumstances." 

"My thoughts and solidarity, and those of the Irish people, are with the families of the six people who have been so brutally murdered, and with their communities and the Israeli people as a whole as they confront this terrible news," he said on Sunday.

"Ireland has repeatedly condemned Hamas and others who have taken and continue to hold hostages for nearly eleven months. The suffering endured by these innocent captives and their families is difficult to imagine.

"We have called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. I repeat this call again today."

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesperson, said on Sunday that “they were cruelly murdered shortly before we were to rescue them”.

The Israeli army said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around half a mile from where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, was rescued alive last week.

All six were abducted by Hamas on October 7, Ms Gat from the farming community of Be’eri and the others from a nearby music festival.

Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes.

The family of Mr Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American hostage, confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday,hours after the Israeli army said it had located bodies in Gaza.

“With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh,” it said.

“The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.”

People protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group, in Tel Aviv on Saturday Picture: AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg

Mr Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed and says military pressure is needed to bring home the hostages.

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that he got into a shouting match last week with his defence minister, Yoav Gallant, who accused him of prioritising control over a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border – a major sticking point in the talks – over the lives of the hostages.

Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners.

Following the recovery of the bodies, there was no immediate comment from Mr Netanyahu, but Israel’s mostly ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, said: “The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces.” 

Defence minister Mr Gallant said: “In the name of the state of Israel, I hold their families close to my heart and ask forgiveness.”

President Joe Biden said he was “devastated and outraged” by the news.

In a statement he said: “It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Mr Goldberg-Polin was among the hostages seized by militants at a music festival in southern Israel on October 7. He lost part of an arm in the attack.

His parents became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage, meeting with Mr Biden, and Pope Francis and addressing the United Nations.

On August 21, they addressed a hushed hall at the Democratic National Convention, where the crowd chanted: “Bring them home.”

A Hamas-issued video in April showing Mr Goldberg-Polin clearly speaking under duress sparked new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure his and others’ freedom.

The announcement is certain to put pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach a deal to bring home the remaining hostages. The Israeli leader has said military pressure is needed to win their release as cease-fire efforts falter.

Calls for ceasefire and release of all hostages

A forum of hostage families called for a massive protest on Sunday, demanding a “complete halt of the country” to push for the implementation of a ceasefire and hostage release.

“A deal for the return of the hostages has been on the table for over two months. Were it not for the delays, sabotage, and excuses those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive. It’s time to bring our hostages home,” it said in a statement.

Before Israel’s announcement, Israel said it believed 108 hostages were still held in Gaza and about one-third of them were dead.

Mr Martin retiterated calls for a ceasefire and said it is "past time for the killing and suffering on all sides to end."

"The past eleven months have brought unspeakable death and suffering to the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Too many families continue to face violence, death and destruction. It is past time for the killing and suffering on all sides to end," he said. 

"We urgently need to see a ceasefire and the release of all remaining hostages. Only this can bring an end to the violence and death, and enable the urgent and massive supply of aid to Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is truly catastrophic.

"Even in this dark moment, I urge all involved to redouble their efforts to reach such a deal," Mr Martin added.