Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned the deaths of six hostages whose bodies were retrieved in Gaza this weekend.
The deaths of five Israelis and one Israeli-American were confirmed on Saturday, with the Israel Defense Forces saying they were believed to have been killed shortly before Israeli troops arrived.
“Along with the entire nation, my wife and I share the families' deep grief. We want to express our deep gratitude to the brave IDF soldiers and Israeli fighters who risked their lives to bring home our sons and daughters,” Netanyahu said.
“To the Hamas terrorists who killed the hostages, and to their leaders, I say: you will pay the price. We will not rest, we will not be silent. We will hunt you down, we will find you and we will finish you off,” he continued.
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On August 25, following the IDF's preemptive strikes against Hezbollah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant oversaw a meeting at the Israeli Defense Ministry. (Israel Government Press Office)
Netanyahu also addressed the ongoing ceasefire talks, saying Hamas has rejected their proposals at every stage.
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“Whoever kills the hostages does not want a deal,” Netanyahu said.
“For our part, we will not make concessions. The Israeli government, and I personally, remain committed to continuing to work toward an agreement that leads to the return of all hostages and guarantees our safety and survival,” he added.
Israel says it has recovered the bodies of six hostages from Gaza: Clockwise from top left: Avraham Munder, Alex Dansig, Haim Peri, Nadav Popplewell, Yoram Metzger, and Yagev Bukshstab. (Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing and IDF Spokesperson Office) (Forum of Hostages and Missing Families and the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson Unit)
Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg Pollin, 23, Southern Israel He was discovered during a Hamas attack on October 7. His body was recovered on Saturday in a tunnel beneath Rafah, along with those of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarsi and Sergeant Oli Danino.
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“Our initial assessment is that they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before our arrival,” IDF spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said in a statement.
According to a family statement, Hirsch Goldberg Polin, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, immigrated to Israel with his family in 2008 when he was seven years old. He is survived by his parents, John Polin and Rachel Goldberg, and two sisters. (Israeli Minister of Defense)
Goldberg-Polin, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, immigrated to Israel with his family in 2008 when he was seven years old, according to a family statement. He is survived by his parents, John Pollin and Rachel Goldberg, and two sisters.
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Goldberg Pollin's family and friends Traveled the world They have called for his release and met with world leaders, including officials from the Biden administration.
Fox News' Landon Mion contributed to this report.
