Israel Recovers Hostages' Bodies Amid Gaza Conflict

Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages in southern Gaza just before reaching them. The hostages were believed to have been killed by Hamas. Among them was Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. President Biden expressed outrage and reaffirmed commitment to securing the release of remaining hostages.

Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in southern Gaza, reportedly killed shortly before Israeli troops arrived, the military said on Sunday. 'According to our initial estimation, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists a short time before we reached them,' stated military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari during a briefing.

In an operation earlier, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a Bedouin community member from southern Israel, was rescued nearby, said the military. The bodies of Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino were brought to Israel.

President Joe Biden, monitoring the hostages' situation since their seizure on Oct. 7, said the six included Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. 'I am devastated and outraged,' Biden remarked in a White House statement.

Following Alkadi's rescue, Israeli troops were cautioned against the potential presence of more hostages, although no precise location information was available, according to Hagari. Hamas has not commented on these allegations.

The Gaza health ministry reported at least 40,691 Palestinians killed and 94,060 injured since Israel's military offensive began on Oct. 7, following attacks by Hamas that left 1,200 Israelis dead and approximately 250 hostages taken.

In parallel, Israeli troops engaged in clashes in the West Bank's Jenin as part of ongoing military operations, marking one of the largest actions there in months. Biden discussed the tragic fate of Goldberg-Polin, who was captured during a music festival and featured in a video released by Hamas in April.

'He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world,' Biden said, praising the unwavering efforts of Goldberg-Polin's parents. 'They have been relentless champions of their son and all the hostages,' he added, 'I grieve with them more deeply than words can express.'

Biden vowed that 'Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes,' reiterating the U.S. commitment to secure the release of all hostages. Vice President Kamala Harris echoed this condemnation of Hamas' brutality and emphasized global solidarity against such acts.

In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Biden expressed optimism about a potential ceasefire deal. 'I think we're on the verge of having an agreement,' he said, emphasizing the urgency to end the conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)