U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "devastated and outraged" to learn of the deaths of the captives.
“We have now confirmed that one of the hostages killed by these vicious Hamas terrorists was an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin,” he said.
"Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas’ savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world."
Biden added: "Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes.”
Vice President Kamala Harris was unequivocal in her condemnation of the murders, releasing a statement saying: “Hamas is an evil terrorist organisation. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas’ continued brutality, and so must the entire world.
"From its massacre of 1,200 people to sexual violence, taking of hostages, and these murders, Hamas’ depravity is evident and horrifying.
"The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel – and American citizens in Israel – must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza. The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas’ rule for nearly two decades.”
U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has condemned the murders of the hostages in the strongest terms and called for the threat of Hamas to be 'eliminated'. Pictured here with Minnesota Governor and Democratics vice presidential candidate Tim Walz (Photo: Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images
She said that her husband Douglas Emhoff’s prayers were with Hersh’s parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg “and with everyone who knew and loved Hersh”.
"When I met with Jon and Rachel earlier this year, I told them: ‘You are not alone.’ That remains true as they mourn this terrible loss. Americans and people around the world will pray for Jon, Rachel, and their family and send them love and strength. As is said in the Jewish tradition, may Hersh’s memory be a blessing.
Jon Polin (L) and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was murdered by Hamas while held as a hostage in Gaza, speak in front of a photo of their son at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, on August 21, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)AFP via Getty Images
“As Vice President, I have no higher priority than the safety of American citizens, wherever they are in the world. President Biden and I will never waver in our commitment to free the Americans and all those held hostage in Gaza.”
David Lammy, Britain's secretary of state for foreign, Commonwealth and development affairs, has condemned the murders of the hostages and called for both Israel and Hamas to agree to a hostage release deal (Photo: Getty Images)Getty Images
In the meantime, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X/Twitter: “I am completely shocked at the horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas. My thoughts are with their loved ones at this awful time.
“Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering.”
His comments were echoed by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who called on both Israel and Hamas to accept a hostage deal.
He said: “The UK condemns Hamas’ appalling murder of six innocent hostages in Gaza in the strongest terms. I offer my deepest condolences to those grieving at this awful time.
“Hamas must release all the hostages immediately, and all sides must accept the deal on the table to end this war.”
