What we know about the six hostages killed in Gaza | CNN (2024)

CNN

The bodies of six hostages held by Hamas have been recovered in an underground tunnel in Gaza, Israel’s military said Sunday. The captives, including an Israeli American, were among the more than 200 people taken by the militants into Gaza following their deadly cross-border rampage on October 7.

Five of them were taken from an Israeli music festival where hundreds were killed and dozens more were kidnapped by Hamas fighters. The sixth was captured from a nearby farming community, according to the Hostages Families Forum, which has coordinated efforts to highlight the plight of the captives and their families, and push for their release.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said their bodies were found in a Hamas-run tunnel under the city of Rafah, and that they were “brutally” murdered “a short while” before troops were able to reach them.

The location was approximately one kilometer (0.6 miles) from the tunnel where another hostage was rescued alive days earlier, an IDF spokesperson added.

Three of the six hostages whose bodies were recovered were expected to be released during the first phase of an eventual ceasefire agreement, two Israeli officials have told CNN.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi and Carmel Gat were slated to be released as part of the “humanitarian category” based on the framework Israel and Hamas agreed to in early July, the officials said, with one of them adding: “Our Prime Minister delayed it.”

Here’s what we know about the hostages:

What we know about the six hostages killed in Gaza | CNN (1)

Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Hersh Goldberg-Polin

The 23-year-old Israeli American became one of the most recognizable faces of the enduring hostage crisis, after he was taken at gunpoint by Hamas militants from the Nova music festival. Banners and murals demanding his return were often displayed in Jerusalem and around the world.

When Hamas gunmen poured into southern Israel on October 7, Goldberg-Polin and his friends were forced to hide inside a small bomb shelter. As the militants began to lob grenades into the bunker, Goldberg-Polin rushed to throw them out, before his arm was blown off from the elbow down, according to a firsthand account from his friend.

Goldberg-Polin’s parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, have beenamong the most vocal of the hostage families pushing Netanyahu to seek a deal securing their relatives’ return. They have also regularly met top US officials in Washington to press the case of the hostagesand gave an emotional address at this month’s Democratic National Convention.

What we know about the six hostages killed in Gaza | CNN (2)

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Hear what the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin said at the Democratic National Convention

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Born in Oakland, California, Goldberg-Polin immigrated to Israel with his family at age 7.

An elder brother to two sisters, he was a “happy go lucky, laid back, good humored, respectful and curious person” wholoved soccer and music, according to his family. He had been obsessed with geography and travel since he was a little boy, his mother said.

What we know about the six hostages killed in Gaza | CNN (3)

Alexander Lobanov

Alexander Lobanov

The 32-year-old father of two, from the coastal city of Ashkelon in southern Israel, was also kidnapped from the Nova music festival, where he was working as a bar manager.

Testimonies indicate that Lobanov helped evacuate people at the festival and ran with five others into the Be’eri forest, where he was later captured by Hamas gunmen.

Lobanov is survived by his wife and two children, a two-year-old and a five-month-old. His younger child was born while he was in captivity.

What we know about the six hostages killed in Gaza | CNN (4)

Carmel Gat

Carmel Gat

The 40-year-old from Tel Avivwas staying at her parents’ home in the borderkibbutzof Be’eri in southern Israel when Hamas fighters broke in at around 10 a.m. on October 7 and forcibly took her away.

Be’eri was one of the hardest hit communities in the October 7 attackswith Hamas killing 101 of its residents, including children. Thirtypeople were abducted from the kibbutz that day.

After 50 days without a sign of life, Gat’s family received testimony from returned hostages, who described her as their guardian angel. To help them endure captivity, she taught them meditation and yoga.

The occupational therapist was full of compassion and love, and always finding ways to support and help others, according to the Hostages Families Forum. She loved solo travel, meeting new people, and live rock music. She was particularly fond of English rock band Radiohead.

What we know about the six hostages killed in Gaza | CNN (5)

Almog Sarusi

Almog Sarusi

The 27-year-old was at the Nova music festival with his girlfriend of five years. When the attack happened, the pair tried to escape by car along with friends, but his girlfriend was shot and severely injured. Sarusi stayed by her side in a desperate attempt to save her. She died, and he was subsequently captured and taken to Gaza, according to the Hostages Families Forum.

Sarusi was remembered as a positive person who loved traveling around Israel in his white SUV with his guitar, according to the forum.

What we know about the six hostages killed in Gaza | CNN (6)

Eden Yerushalmi

Eden Yerushalmi

The 24-year-old from Tel Aviv was working as a bartender at the Nova music festival on October 7. When sirens sounded, she sent a video of rocket fire to her family group chat, saying she was leaving the party, according to the Hostages Families Forum.

As Hamas fighters went about their rampage Yerushalmi called the police, describing the situation and pleading: “Find me, ok?”

For four hours, she spoke with her two sisters, May and Shani, who heard everything she went through as she tried to escape. Her last words were, “Shani, they’ve caught me.”

Those who knew Yerushalmi described her as a vibrant young woman with many friends and hobbies. She loved spending summer days at the beach playing paddleball, attending parties, and was studying to become a pilates instructor, according to the Hostages Families Forum.

What we know about the six hostages killed in Gaza | CNN (7)

Ori Danino

Ori Danino

The eldest of five siblings, the 25-year-old planned to study electrical engineering. The Jerusalem native was kidnapped from the Nova music festival while driving back to help others escape, according to the Hostages Families Forum. He was the son of Einav and Elchanan, and partner to Liel.

“Ori was known for his ambition, love for people, and was beloved by all,” the forum said. “He loved nature and was very handy.”

What we know about the six hostages killed in Gaza | CNN (2024)

FAQs

Who killed 6 hostages in Gaza? ›

The Hamas statement follows the recovery of six hostages' bodies from Gaza by Israeli forces over the weekend. An Israeli spokesperson said Sunday the hostages had been “brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists” shortly before soldiers reached them.

How were 6 Israeli hostages killed? ›

The six hostages appeared to have been shot dead at close range two to three days before their bodies were found, according to Israel's health ministry. They were held hostage for nearly 11 months after they were kidnapped during Hamas' Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel's border communities.

How were Hamas hostages killed? ›

The hostages appeared to have been killed between Thursday evening and Friday morning, just hours before the Israeli military reached them, according to Israel's National Institute of Forensic Medicine. Their autopsies indicated that they had all been shot at close ranges, apparently by execution.

How many hostages are left in Gaza? ›

Holding hostages:

72 hostages were reportedly killed on October 7 or in Hamas captivity according to Israel. As of 1 September 2024, 101 hostages remained in captivity in the Gaza Strip, 97 of whom had been abducted on 7 October 2023, and the other four hostages captured earlier.

How were the hostages executed? ›

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they were “executed” with a bullet “to the head.” An Israeli autopsy found that all six hostages were shot multiple times from close range, indicating they were executed.

Who were the six hostages that were killed? ›

Here's what to know about the six hostages killed in Gaza.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a group of their relatives, identified the dead as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino.

How were the Iranian hostages treated? ›

The Iran hostages and their families suffered every indignity imaginable, not just at the hands of their Iranian captors, but from our own bureaucracy. Among other things, State cut off their health insurance and employee benefits on the grounds that they were AWOL, while in captivity!

Why do terrorists take hostages? ›

This is where people are captured, taken to a secret location, and kept for ransom or political leverage. The motive for terrorists to use this method of hostage-taking is usually for the release of political prisoners or imprisoned terrorists.

Why did Lebanon take hostages? ›

The motive for the hostage-taking was to stop the United States and others from retaliating against Hezbollah for killing 241 Americans and 58 French in the Marine barracks and embassy bombings in Beirut in 1983.

What has happened to the Israeli hostages? ›

The six hostages recovered from Gaza were killed somewhere between Thursday and Friday, a spokesperson from Israel's health ministry said. According to the ministry, forensic examination of the hostages' bodies showed they were killed 48 to 72 hours prior to the autopsies.

Does Hamas follow Sharia? ›

Hamas also continued to enforce restrictions on Gaza's population based on its interpretation of Islam and sharia.

How many hostages were in the Iran hostage crisis? ›

43 years after the end of the Iran hostage crisis, families of those affected still fight for justice. When Iranians took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979, they held 52 Americans hostage for over 444 days.

What bodies were found in Gaza? ›

Who are the six Israeli hostages whose bodies were found in Gaza?
  • Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23. View image in fullscreen. ...
  • Eden Yerushalmi, 24. Eden Yerushalmi was in contact with the police and with her sisters after the attack. ' ...
  • Carmel Gat, 40. View image in fullscreen. ...
  • Alexander Lobanov, 33. ...
  • Almog Sarusi, 27. ...
  • Ori Danino, 25.
2 days ago

Is Gaza sealed off? ›

On 9 October 2023, Israel intensified the blockade of the Gaza Strip after the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and the ensuing Israel–Hamas war when it announced a "total blockade", blocking the entry of food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity.

Did Israel give up Gaza? ›

With the implementation of the plan, IDF installations and forces were removed and over 9000 Israeli citizens living in 25 settlements were evicted. By 22 September 2005, Israel's withdrawal from the entire Gaza Strip to the 1967 Green Line, and the eviction of the four settlements in Samaria, was completed.

Is Hersh Goldberg-Polin dead? ›

Who took hostages in 1979? ›

The Iran hostage crisis was an international crisis that began in November 1979 when militants seized 66 U.S. citizens in Tehrān and held 52 of them hostage for more than a year. The crisis took place in the wake of Iranian Revolution (1978–79).

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