Israeli hostages ‘shot multiple times at close range’ in Rafah tunnel
Six hostages whose bodies were recovered by the military were executed over fears a captive rescued from a nearby tunnel would give away their location, Israeli officials reportedly believe.
The six hostages whose bodies were recovered by the Israeli military on Saturday local time had been shot multiple times at close range, a clear indication that they were executed according to Israel’s Health Ministry.
The victims, who included Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were killed between Thursday and Friday morning, the ministry said. The Israeli Defence Forces found their bodies inside a tunnel under Rafah on Saturday afternoon
Security officials believe Hamas executed the hostages over concerns that a captive rescued from a nearby tunnel under Rafah last week would divulge their location, Israeli media reports.
Farhan al-Qadi, 52, was found alone in a tunnel a kilometre from where the bodies were found, according to IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari.
“Since Farhan was found, troops were given an emphasis on operating carefully even more than usual, because of the understanding that additional hostages might be in the area. We did not have information on the exact location of the hostages,” Rear Admiral Hagari told reporters.
It comes as hundreds of thousands of Israelis prepare for a nationwide strike over what they say is the government’s failure to free the remaining hostages.
There are thought to be around 101 Israelis remaining in captivity, of whom 35 are thought to have died.
The head of Israel’s powerful Histadrut trade union ordered a “complete strike” on Monday in support of the hostages.
“I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention can shake those who need to be shaken,” Histadrut chair Arnon Bar-David said in a statement.
“A deal is not progressing due to political considerations and this is unacceptable.”
Earlier today, more than 300,000 people took to the streets in nationwide protests, demanding an immediate hostage deal. Protesters blocked some highways and lit fires on others, accusing the government of abandoning the hostages.
At a rally in Tel Aviv, Einav Zangauker, who son Matan Zangauker remains in captivity in Gaza, said: “My son is still alive. But every day is a Russian roulette. Netanyahu’s roulette.”
She said Benjamin Netanyahu would play “play roulette” … “until they’re all dead, [but] we won’t let him.” She added the six murdered hostages died “on the altar of Philadelphi [Corridor] spin,” referring to the Gaza-Egypt border, where the prime minister has insisted Israel will retain a military presence.
As the families of the executed hostages laid them to rest in emotional funerals, Mr Netanyahu vowed to “settle the score” with Hamas
“Those who kill hostages do not want an agreement” for a Gaza truce, Mr Netanyahu said, telling Hamas leaders that “we will hunt you down, we will catch you and we will settle the score”.
Tensions heightened hours later when it was confirmed that three members of the Israeli police force were killed in a shooting attack in the West Bank on Sunday morning.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the six hostages whose remains had been retrieved on Sunday AEST were alive when taken captive by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
“They were held hostage by Hamas and murdered in cold blood,” Mr Gallant said.
Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said “they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them”.
“The heart of an entire nation is shattered to pieces,” President Isaac Herzog said.
US President Joe biden confirmed Mr Goldberg-Polin, who is also a US national and was seen alive in a video released by his captors in April, was among those killed.
“Earlier today, in a tunnel under the city of Rafah, Israeli forces recovered six bodies of hostages held by Hamas,” Mr Biden said. “We have now confirmed that one of the hostages … was an American citizen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin.”
The 23-year-old was among 251 people taken during the October 7 attack on Southern Israel, 97 of whom remain captive in Gaza including 33 the Israeli army says are dead.
The other bodies recovered on Sunday were Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino.
Ms Gat was taken from the southern Israeli kibbutz community of Beeri, while the remaining five, ages 23 to 32, were abducted from the Supernova music festival.
They were among 251 people taken during the October 7 attack, 97 of whom remain captive in Gaza including 33 the Israeli army says are dead.
The parents of Mr Goldberg-Polin delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last month.
On Thursday, the couple joined other relatives of hostages rallying near the Gaza border.
“Hersh! It’s Mom … I love you, stay strong, survive,” Rachel Goldberg-Polin shouted into a microphone.
Her son had hidden in a bomb shelter with other people on October 7 but it was surrounded by gunmen, who attacked it with grenades. A Hamas video from the day showed him being loaded onto a ute with part of his left arm, which was blown off in the attack, missing.
He appeared in a proof-of-life video released by Hamas on April 24 in which he said the captives were living “in hell”. His left arm had been amputated below the elbow.
Hamas’s October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of about 1200 people, mostly civilians.
Israel’s retaliatory military campaign has killed at least 40,691 people in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry. The UN rights office says most of the dead are women and children.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, visited the scene of the West Bank attack on Sunday and called for more checkpoints be set up in the area.
“Right to life (of Israelis) is more important than freedom of movement of PA (Palestinian Authority) residents,” he said.
“Instead of freeing terrorists, shoot them in the head.”
Israeli forces pressed on with a widespread operation in the West Bank since Wednesday.
Explosions and gunfire were heard in Jenin city as Israeli forces continued to operate there.
At least 22 Palestinians have been killed since simultaneous raids were launched on Wednesday across the northern West Bank, including 14 militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups.
Since Friday, soldiers have concentrated operations on Jenin and its refugee camp, a densely-populated community which has long been bastions of Palestinian armed groups.
Violence across the West Bank has soared since the war in Gaza began after the October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel.
AFP
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