Israel recovers bodies of six Gaza hostages executed by Hamas

[Claira]

The IDF has found more bodies underground in Gaza, likely of Israeli hostages who had been held by Hamas, the military announced late Saturday night.

Despite rumors on social media of possible identities of the potential hostage bodies, the IDF will not be able to confirm any specifics until the bodies have been returned to Israel and checked by the relevant professional experts, likely later on Sunday.

IDF sources did say that if the bodies are indeed those of hostages, that they were not killed by any recent fight with Hamas in the area since the military did not use force nearby.

https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-817184

https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-finds-bodies-in-gaza-that-may-be-of-hostages-identification-process-underway/

[+and-then]

I have a question for you as a citizen of Israel, Claira.  Do the majority in Israel want to get the release of hostages at any price?  While I admire the steadfastness of the people there concerning a demand to bring them all home, I also wonder if this is not a fatal weakness for the State as a whole.  The hostage families understandably want their loved ones home but unless I misunderstand the rhetoric out of Jerusalem/TelAviv, does that goal not clash with the stated goal of destroying Hamas as a fighting and governing entity?  It seems that if the current government makes a deal with Sinwar to get all the hostages out then it will come at the cost of Hamas' survival and revival as a power capable of committing the same atrocities of 10/7 again.

[+and-then]

https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2024/08/31/american-israeli-hostage-hersh-goldberg-polin-found-dead-in-gaza-murdered-by-hamas/

Hersh Goldberg-Polin identified as one of the bodies found today.  May he RIP and his memory forever be a blessing  

[+susieice]

Just saw on the news tonight that 6 bodies were found in a tunnel today.

Hostage families call for public to mobilize after Israeli military reports finding several bodies in Gaza | CNN

 A group representing the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza has called for the public to mobilize after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported finding “a number of bodies” in the war-torn territory.

The demands by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum came as thousands rallied across Israel on Saturday demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sign a ceasefire-for-hostages deal.

[+and-then]

10 minutes ago, susieice said:

Just saw on the news tonight that 6 bodies were found in a tunnel today.

Hostage families call for public to mobilize after Israeli military reports finding several bodies in Gaza | CNN

 A group representing the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza has called for the public to mobilize after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported finding “a number of bodies” in the war-torn territory.

The demands by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum came as thousands rallied across Israel on Saturday demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sign a ceasefire-for-hostages deal.

The problem with giving the families what they're demanding is that Hamas is unwilling to accept anything short of a total cessation of fighting and a complete withdrawal of IDF forces.. THAT is tantamount to a full surrender by Israel.

[Claira]

The bodies of six hostages abducted alive by Hamas on October 7 were recovered from a tunnel in southern Gaza’s Rafah overnight, shortly after they were murdered by terrorists, the Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday.

The hostages were Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lubnov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 27.

Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi, Lubnov, Sarusi and Danino (an off-duty noncommissioned officer) were abducted from the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, while Gat was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri.

IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the six were “brutally murdered” by Hamas shortly before troops arrived — possibly only a day or two before they were found.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/bodies-of-6-hostages-murdered-by-hamas-just-days-earlier-found-in-rafah-idf/

[Claira]

6 hours ago, and-then said:

https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2024/08/31/american-israeli-hostage-hersh-goldberg-polin-found-dead-in-gaza-murdered-by-hamas/

Hersh Goldberg-Polin identified as one of the bodies found today.  May he RIP and his memory forever be a blessing  

The loss of Hersh and of the other hostages has absolutely devastated us. We were this close to rescuing him and the others

A couple more stories on him:

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, two more could have been released in July 2 hostage deal
https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-817239

Biden: 'I am devastated, outraged and heartbroken at Hersh's death'
https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-817200

[Claira]

6 hours ago, and-then said:

I have a question for you as a citizen of Israel, Claira.  Do the majority in Israel want to get the release of hostages at any price?  While I admire the steadfastness of the people there concerning a demand to bring them all home, I also wonder if this is not a fatal weakness for the State as a whole.  The hostage families understandably want their loved ones home but unless I misunderstand the rhetoric out of Jerusalem/TelAviv, does that goal not clash with the stated goal of destroying Hamas as a fighting and governing entity?  It seems that if the current government makes a deal with Sinwar to get all the hostages out then it will come at the cost of Hamas' survival and revival as a power capable of committing the same atrocities of 10/7 again.

We're often questioned (and criticized) for our willingness to exchange hundreds of Palestinian terrorists and murderers for just one Israeli. It's a devil's choice we've had to make time and time again. Do we let one of our own suffer and die in unspeakable conditions, or do we risk everything to bring them home? For us Israelis, the choice is clear. We place a high value on our citizens and are willing to pay a high price for them — but not any price 

At no time have the IDF and our special forces teams stopped searching for them. Their rescue has, and continues to be, one of our highest priorities. We've also done our best to negotiate with Hamas, but as Netanyahu pointed out today, "those who murder hostages, do not want a deal."

There's no question we're emotional and in a panic over the fate of the remaining hostages, but as much as their families and the rest of us want them brought home, the majority of us know that total surrender would result in an even heavier cost. We have got to finish what we started.

Netanyahu: Israel in intense negotiations for hostages, Hamas refuses
https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-817241

[Claira]

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls for the release of all the hostages and an end to the war in Gaza after the IDF recovers the bodies of six captives who were murdered by Hamas.

“I will never forget my meeting last October with the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin and other hostage families. Today’s tragic news is a devastating reminder of the need for the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the nightmare of war in Gaza,” Guterres writes on X.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/recalling-meeting-with-hostage-families-un-chief-urges-unconditional-release-of-captives-end-to-war-in-gaza/

[+and-then]

8 hours ago, Claira said:

There's no question we're emotional and in a panic over the fate of the remaining hostages, but as much as their families and the rest of us want them brought home, the majority of us know that total surrender would result in an even heavier cost.

This was my belief from the very beginning of the war.  If one of the hostages was my family or a friend, I'd probably be protesting, as well, but when the fight is literally about survival of the nation, the lives of 100 or even 1000 cannot justify surrendering to those who would kill all of the nation.  I've read that the hostage families are being joined by the same elements that were part of the judicial protests that sought to bring down the current government.  If that is correct then I think it's shameful.  

May God have mercy on the remaining hostages as well as the nation of Israel in these times of trial.

[CrimsonKing]

18 minutes ago, and-then said:

This was my belief from the very beginning of the war.  If one of the hostages was my family or a friend, I'd probably be protesting, as well, but when the fight is literally about survival of the nation, the lives of 100 or even 1000 cannot justify surrendering to those who would kill all of the nation.  I've read that the hostage families are being joined by the same elements that were part of the judicial protests that sought to bring down the current government.  If that is correct then I think it's shameful.  

May God have mercy on the remaining hostages as well as the nation of Israel in these times of trial.

Now they are protesting in mass,I just hope those doing so realize they may not get very many back,and if Israel makes the deal the entire world is going to hold them to it until Hamas strikes again.

https://m.jpost.com/israel-news/article-817299

Now also our Clown in Chief is saying "Hamas is going to pay for this"...

Ummmmm no they won't if Israel is forced to make the deal that Hamas is demanding...

 

[+and-then]

THIS^ is why Israel survives.  Those who hate them cannot break their ultimate unity.  

[Claira]

4 hours ago, and-then said:

THIS^ is why Israel survives.  Those who hate them cannot break their ultimate unity.  

Exactly.

[Claira]

Autopsies of the six hostages indicated they were executed 48 to 72 hours prior to their autopsy (between Thursday and Friday morning). All six were shot multiple times from close range shortly before the IDF located their bodies on Saturday afternoon in a tunnel in Rafah.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/autopsy-finds-6-hostages-shot-multiple-times-at-close-range-in-last-48-72-hours/

[docyabut2]

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-harris-meet-us-hostage-deal-negotiating-team-major-protests-erupt-israel

 

If Trump was our president  he `d say to Hamas let our hostages go or we will bomb the **** out of you   

[Setton]

2 hours ago, docyabut2 said:

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-harris-meet-us-hostage-deal-negotiating-team-major-protests-erupt-israel

 

If Trump was our president  he `d say to Hamas let our hostages go or we will bomb the **** out of you   

And then the hostages would be dead.

Well done tangerine in chief.

[Alchopwn]

And that is why Trump's an idiot.  No, the correct answer is to  find where the relatives of the Hamas leadership are, and capture them.

[CrimsonKing]

3 hours ago, Alchopwn said:

 No, the correct answer is to  find where the relatives of the Hamas leadership are, and capture them.

Not sure if even that would work...

[+susieice]

Protest in Tel Aviv is continuing today.

Protesters calling for cease-fire take to Tel Aviv streets for 2nd day (msn.com)

[Claira]

1 hour ago, susieice said:

Protest in Tel Aviv is continuing today.

Protesters calling for cease-fire take to Tel Aviv streets for 2nd day (msn.com)

We're all overwhelmed with grief and sadness. There's nothing we want more than to bring the remaining hostages home, and the protests are loud and clear about that. But we cannot, will not, offer concessions to Hamas, especially with respect to Philadelphi.  As Netanyahu succinctly put it, to do so “would be a reward for terrorism and would send a dangerous message to Hamas that killing our hostages pays off.”

https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-817307

 

Edited September 2 by Claira
Added source link.

[Claira]

8 hours ago, docyabut2 said:

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-harris-meet-us-hostage-deal-negotiating-team-major-protests-erupt-israel

If Trump was our president  he `d say to Hamas let our hostages go or we will bomb the **** out of you   

If Trump, or anyone else, were to say that, they would be offering Hamas exactly what they want. Hamas wants Israel to keep blasting away at Gaza and is more than happy to sacrifice as many Palestinians as it can to turn international opinion.

[Claira]

3 hours ago, CrimsonKing said:

Not sure if even that would work...

It wouldn't.

[CrimsonKing]

16 minutes ago, Claira said:

It wouldn't.

I agree, Sinwar's own son has done an excellent job of telling anyone who cares to listen exactly how they operate...

[docyabut2]

The hostages since oct 7 and now are missing for almost a year , where are they ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel–Hamas_war_hostage_crisis

[Claira]

2 minutes ago, CrimsonKing said:

I agree, Sinwar's own son has done an excellent job of telling anyone who cares to listen exactly how they operate...

I think you mean Mosab Hassan Yousef who's the son of Hassan Yousef one of the co-founders of Hamas and its current leader in the West Bank. Sinwar has three children, two boys and one girl, all of whom are still quite young.