September 2nd 2024.
On a Sunday, the Israeli military revealed that the bodies of six hostages who had been held by Hamas were found in an underground tunnel in Gaza. Among these captives was an Israeli American, who had been taken along with more than 200 others by the militants after their violent attack on October 7. Five of the hostages were taken from a music festival in Israel, where hundreds were tragically killed and dozens more were taken captive by Hamas fighters. The sixth hostage was taken from a nearby farming community, as reported by the Hostages Families Forum, an organization that has been working to draw attention to the plight of the captives and their families and advocating for their release.
According to the Israel Defence Forces, the hostages' bodies were discovered in a Hamas-controlled tunnel beneath the city of Rafah. The military also stated that they had been brutally murdered shortly before the troops were able to reach them. This location was about a kilometre away from the tunnel where another hostage had been rescued alive days earlier, as confirmed by an IDF spokesperson. It has been reported by two Israeli officials that three of the six hostages whose bodies were found were expected to be released during the first stage of a ceasefire agreement. These officials stated that Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, and Carmel Gat were supposed to be released under the "humanitarian category" based on the framework that Israel and Hamas had agreed upon in July. However, one of the officials added that their Prime Minister had delayed this release.
Let's take a closer look at the hostages whose bodies were recovered in the tunnel. Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli American, became one of the most widely recognized faces of the ongoing hostage crisis. He had been taken at gunpoint by Hamas militants from the Nova music festival, and his family and friends had been desperately pleading for his safe return. When the militants began throwing grenades into the small bomb shelter where Goldberg-Polin and his friends were hiding, he bravely attempted to throw them out. Tragically, he lost his arm in the process, according to a first-hand account from one of his friends. Goldberg-Polin's parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, have been vocal advocates for their son's release and have met with top US officials to seek their assistance in bringing him home. Born in California, Goldberg-Polin moved to Israel with his family when he was seven years old. He was known for his laid-back, good-humoured personality and his love for soccer and music.
Another one of the hostages, 32-year-old Alexander Lobanov, was also taken from the Nova music festival, where he had been working as a bar manager. Witnesses reported that Lobanov had helped evacuate people from the festival before running into the forest with five others, where he was eventually captured by Hamas gunmen. Lobanov, who had two young children and a wife at home, was remembered as a hero by his friends and family.
Carmel Gat, a 40-year-old occupational therapist from Tel Aviv, was staying with her parents in a border kibbutz when she was taken by Hamas fighters. Her family had received testimony from other hostages who described her as their "guardian angel" during their captivity. Gat was known for her kindness and compassion, and she often taught meditation and yoga to her fellow captives to help them cope with their situation. She was also a lover of music and travel, with a particular fondness for the English band Radiohead.
Almog Sarusi, a 27-year-old who was at the music festival with his girlfriend, tried to escape with her when the attack happened. Tragically, his girlfriend was shot and died, and Sarusi was taken captive by Hamas. His friends remembered him as a positive person who loved travelling around Israel in his white SUV with his guitar.
Eden Yerushalmi, a 24-year-old bartender from Tel Aviv, called the police for help as the Hamas fighters went on their rampage. She bravely tried to escape for four hours, speaking with her sisters on the phone and keeping them updated on her situation. Sadly, her last words were "They've caught me." Yerushalmi was known for her vibrant personality and her love for spending time at the beach and studying to become a pilates instructor.
The eldest of five siblings, 25-year-old Ori Danino was also taken from the music festival while trying to help others escape. He was a beloved son, brother, and partner, known for his ambition and love for people. His family remembers him as someone who loved nature and was always willing to lend a helping hand.
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