Israel says Six Hostages Found Dead in Gaza Were Killed by Hamas

On Sunday, Israeli authorities confirmed that the six bodies recovered the previous day were those of hostages abducted by Hamas nearly 11 months ago. This announcement has led to intense criticism from the families of the captives, who accuse the Israeli government of failing to prioritize their loved ones' release.

The Israeli military stated that the six individuals had been killed by Hamas. The deceased have been identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino. The ages of the victims ranged from 23 to 40, according to an umbrella group representing the families of the hostages.

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Five of the hostages had been attending a dance music festival in southern Israel when they were captured. The sixth victim, Carmel Gat, was taken from the nearby village of Be’eri. The discovery of these bodies came during a military operation, but the Israeli military had not initially confirmed whether they were hostages.

The announcement on Saturday that bodies had been found during the military operation sparked immediate speculation in Israel about the fate of more hostages. The news intensified calls for an immediate cease-fire to facilitate the return of the remaining hostages in Gaza, both deceased and alive, estimated to be around 100.

The Israeli authorities' identification of the bodies has also brought to light the ongoing frustration and anguish of the families of the hostages. They have voiced strong criticism regarding what they perceive as a lack of urgency in the efforts to secure their release.