Israel Recovers Bodies of Hostages Brutally Murdered by Hamas in Gaza Tunnel

Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages, apparently murdered shortly before Israeli troops reached them, from a tunnel in southern Gaza. The victims were identified and returned to Israel. President Joe Biden expressed outrage, while Prime Minister Netanyahu faced increased pressure to secure a ceasefire deal.

Israel recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in southern Gaza where they were apparently killed not long before Israeli troops reached them, the military said on Sunday. According to initial estimations, they were murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before Israeli forces arrived, military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated.

The bodies, identified as Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino, were found in Rafah and returned to Israel. President Isaac Herzog expressed profound sorrow and apologized for failing to bring them home safely. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately comment.

U.S. President Joe Biden expressed devastation over the fate of the hostages, including Israeli American Goldberg-Polin. Following the recovery, there are calls for Netanyahu to expedite a ceasefire deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

(With inputs from agencies.)