The Amal Community Mourns the Death of 6 Hostages Reflecting Israel’s Diversity and Ongoing Crisis

The entire Amal community mourns the death of six hostages found over the weekend in a Rafah tunnel, adding to the mounting number of hostages killed since October 7th. Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Ori Danino, 25; Alex Lobanov, 32; Carmel Gat, 40; and Almog Sarusi, 27, were all found dead by IDF with multiple gunshot wounds. These young individuals represent the diverse fabric of Israeli society and the horrific reality that Israel and the broader region have been enduring since the October 7 attacks.

Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi, Lobanov, Sarusi, and Danino were abducted from the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, while Carmel Gat was taken from Kibbutz Be’eri. Their bodies were found during a search of a tunnel complex in Rafah. This devastating loss underscores the severe impact of the war on all sectors of Israeli society. US President, Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, expressed profound condolences and called for continued efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages. Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also shared their grief and solidarity with the families affected.

The announcement has sparked significant public and political criticism of the Israeli government’s handling of the hostage crisis, with protests planned by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. As the nation grapples with these tragedies, the call for action and resolution remains urgent.