JERUSALEM. Israel announced on Sunday that it had recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, among them Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old Israeli-American who became a prominent figure among those held by Hamas. His parents had campaigned tirelessly for his release, meeting with world leaders and urging action.

The Israeli military reported that the six hostages were killed shortly before Israeli forces arrived. The news has sparked widespread outrage in Israel, with many citizens blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for failing to secure their safe return despite ongoing negotiations with Hamas to end the 10-month-long war.

In a statement, Netanyahu condemned Hamas for the killings, saying, “whoever murders hostages doesn’t want a deal.” He vowed that Israel would hold the militant group accountable for their actions.

Goldberg-Polin, along with four others, was captured at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas’ attack on October 7, which marked the beginning of the conflict. Originally from Berkeley, California, Goldberg-Polin lost part of his left arm to a grenade during the attack. A video released by Hamas in April showed him alive, though his left hand was missing, which fueled further protests in Israel, demanding greater efforts to secure the release of all hostages.

The other recovered hostages were identified as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40. The Israeli military stated that the bodies were found in a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza, around a kilometer from where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, was rescued alive last week.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesperson, mentioned that while Israeli forces suspected hostages were in the area, they did not have precise intelligence. The bodies were discovered several meters underground during ongoing combat, though there was no firefight within the tunnel itself. Shoshani affirmed that Hamas was responsible for the deaths.

Hamas has proposed releasing hostages in exchange for an end to the conflict, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the release of numerous Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants. Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, claimed that the hostages would still be alive if Israel had accepted a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, which Hamas had agreed to in July.

Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to continuing the war until Hamas is destroyed, asserting that military pressure is essential for bringing the hostages home. However, tensions within the Israeli government are rising. Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu engaged in a heated exchange with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant during a security Cabinet meeting. Gallant accused Netanyahu of prioritizing control of a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border over the lives of the hostages. Despite Gallant’s objections, the Cabinet voted to maintain control of the corridor.

An unnamed Israeli official confirmed that Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi, and Gat were among those scheduled for release in a ceasefire proposal discussed in July. The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the negotiations, expressed regret over the delays.

“In the name of the state of Israel, I hold their families close to my heart and ask forgiveness,” Gallant stated after the recovery of the remains. He later called for the Cabinet to reconsider its decision.

The families of the hostages are demanding a nationwide protest, calling for a complete halt to the country’s activities to pressure the government into implementing a ceasefire and securing the hostages’ release. In a statement, they said, “A deal for the return of the hostages has been on the table for over two months. Were it not for the delays, sabotage, and excuses, those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive.”

U.S. President Joe Biden, who had met with Goldberg-Polin’s parents, expressed his devastation and outrage, stating, “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.” Vice President Kamala Harris also extended her condolences to the Goldberg-Polin family and condemned Hamas.

Goldberg-Polin’s parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg became prominent advocates on the international stage, meeting with Biden, Pope Francis, and other world leaders. They addressed the United Nations and spoke at the Democratic National Convention in August, urging the release of all hostages.

In a poignant speech at the convention, Jon Polin stated, “This is a political convention. But needing our only son — and all of the cherished hostages — home is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue.” His wife, Rachel, added, “Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive.”

Israel now estimates that 101 hostages remain in captivity, including 35 believed to be dead. Over 100 hostages were freed during a ceasefire in November, with some exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces have rescued eight hostages so far, though previous rescue attempts have resulted in the deaths of several hostages and Palestinian civilians.

The conflict, which began with the Hamas-led attack on October 7, has claimed the lives of over 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, and have displaced the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, creating a humanitarian crisis in the region.

In a separate incident on Sunday, Palestinian militants killed three Israeli police officers in the West Bank, further escalating tensions in the occupied territory as Israel continues its large-scale military operations.