The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in coordination with the Israel Security Agency (ISA), located and recovered the bodies of six hostages: Carmel Gat (39), Eden Yerushalmi (24), Hersh Goldberg-Polin (23), Alexander Lobanov (32), Almog Sarusi (26), and Ori Danino (25).
Eden, Hersh, Alexander, Almog, and Ori were all abducted from the Nova Festival, which tragically turned from a place of celebration into a scene of terror. Carmel was taken from her childhood home in Kibbutz Be’eri, a community that represents the resilience and spirit of Israel.
The operation to recover their bodies occurred amidst ongoing combat in the Rafah area.
According to statement from IDF, the bodies were found in a tunnel, about one kilometer from where another hostage, Farhan Alkadi, was rescued days earlier. The initial assessment suggests that Hamas terrorists murdered the hostages shortly before IDF soldiers reached the tunnel.
After the recovery, the bodies were brought back to Israeli territory for identification. Once confirmed, IDF representatives delivered the devastating news to the families.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss. The suffering these hostages endured and the pain their families have felt is beyond words,” said an IDF spokesperson.
This tragedy highlights the critical importance of the IDF’s ongoing efforts to locate and rescue the remaining 101 hostages still held by Hamas. The IDF remains determined to bring them all home.
