The families of the six murdered hostages have spoken of their heartbreak and devastation following the discovery of their bodies in Gaza on Saturday.
The IDF announced that it had found the bodies of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Ori Danino, 25, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Almog Sarusi, 27, Alexander Lobanov, 32, and Carmel Gat. 40.
They were discovered in an underground tunnel during fighting in Rafah, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said earlier today.
The family of Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who had his left arm blown off and was abducted into Gaza from the Nova Music Festival, released a statement on social media: “With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
Hersh’s parents Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin had campaigned tirelessly for the return of their son and the other hostages, and earlier this month, had addressed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last week, telling the audience that “needing our son, and all the hostages home, is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue.”
Carmel Gat, an occupational therapist, who was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri, where she had been staying with her parents, had been described by hostages who had been released as their “guardian angel”. To survive captivity, she had taught them yoga and meditation, said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
The family of Eden, originally from Tel Aviv, said: ”We share with great sorrow that our beloved Eden was murdered in Hamas captivity.” Eden, a pilates teacher, had been working as a bartender at the Nova music festival when she was abducted.
Yerushalmi's aunt, Carmit Itzhaki, told KAN news: "I really ask for her forgiveness that I did not do more. I promised that I would return her, and she asked that she would be found. They found her but they found her dead. Forgive me Eden.”
Ori Danino, from Jerusalem, was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists when, having already saved Nova festivalgoers, had driven back to the site to rescue more people.
His brother Yitzhak Danino wrote on Instagram: "Blessed is the True Judge. My beloved brother, I'm sorry I couldn't do everything in time. I will live with this forever. I know you'll watch over me from above, and I can't believe I'm even talking about you like this."
Ori’s girlfriend, Liel, added: "Our hearts are shattered into a million pieces. We’re far from processing or understanding this. It feels like a dream."
Almog Sarusi from Ra’anana, was described as “a vibrant and positive person” by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, who had been at the Nova music festival when he was abducted, trying to save his girlfriend Shahar Gindi, who was killed from gunfire.
Confirming the death of Alex Lobanov, his family wrote: "With profound sorrow and deep grief, we announce the murder of our beloved Alex."
Lobanov leaves behind a wife, Michal, and two children, one of whom was born while Alex was in captivity, his parents and a brother.
