Tragic Loss of Six Hostages in Southern Gaza

Tragic Loss: Six Hostages Found Dead in Southern Gaza

On Sunday, an outpouring of grief and tributes flooded social media and community gatherings for the six hostages whose lives were tragically cut short in southern Gaza over the weekend. The bodies of these individuals, discovered in a tunnel, spanned a heartbreaking range of ages from 23 to 40 years. Five of the victims had been attending a vibrant dance music festival in southern Israel when they were seized during the shocking attack carried out by Hamas and its allies on October 7. The sixth hostage was taken from the village of Be’eri.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a dedicated group representing the relatives of those captured, identified the deceased as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino. These six individuals are now part of the estimated 100 hostages still unaccounted for in Gaza, with some presumed dead and others still living under dire conditions. Here’s what we know about them:

• Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23: A dual citizen of Israel and the United States, Hersh was taken captive from the festival on October 7. His mother, Rachel Goldberg-Polin, has traveled extensively since then, passionately advocating for the safe return of all hostages. Describing her son, she shared, “Hersh is a joyful spirit, a laid-back individual with a great sense of humor. He is respectful and deeply curious about the world around him.” Earlier this month, she spoke at the Democratic National Convention alongside her husband, Jon, where she highlighted her son’s love for soccer, his enthusiasm for music and festivals, and his lifelong fascination with geography and travel.