2 months ago
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US President Joe Biden expressed his devastation and outrage following the recovery of six bodies of hostages, including an Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, from a tunnel in the Gaza Strip. President Biden described the incident as "tragic" and "reprehensible," while issuing a statement that "
Hamas
leaders will pay for these crimes" and vowing continued efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages held by the Palestinian group.
"I am devastated and outraged. 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. I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable. They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express," said Biden according to a White House statement.
While expressing his grief, Biden also said that efforts to bring the Israeli-American hostage home were being made."I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible. Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages," added Biden to his statement.
The Israeli forces, according to Biden, retrieved the six hostages' bodies on Saturday from a tunnel beneath the city of Rafah. One of the hostages killed was American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose death Biden confirmed in a statement issued by the White House.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) Spokesman, was quoted by Times of Israel saying that the hostages from southern Gaza's Rafah were "brutally murdered" by Hamas just before the arrival of IDF troops.
Meanwhile, Biden also talked to reporters after leaving a church in Delaware and said "It's time this war ended," according to news agency ANI. "We should end this war."
Vice President Kamala Harris also commented on the situation, emphasizing that Hamas "must be eliminated" and cannot be allowed to control Gaza.
"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," Harris said while extending her condolences to Goldberg-Polin's parents, Jon and Rachel.
"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," Harris added in a White House statement.
Goldberg-Polin's parents also spoke at the Democratic National Convention when they were hoping for their son's safe return along with other hostages.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also expressed the nation's grief in a statement. "The heart of an entire nation is crushed into pieces," he said, calling the deaths a vivid example of Hamas's willingness to commit crimes against humanity. He reiterated that bringing the hostages home remains Israel's "sacred goal."
Following the Hamas attacks on October 7, Israel launched a military campaign against the group. According to Israeli authorities, more than 1,200 Israelis were killed, and 250 were taken hostage during these initial attacks.
