Israel recovers bodies of six hostages

Israeli American Hersh Goldberg-Polin is among the six hostages whose bodies Israel recovered on Saturday. Hamas kidnapped Goldberg-Polin and the others during its Oct. 7 terror attacks on Israel, NBC News reported.

Hamas killed over 1,200 people and took approximately 250 hostage on Oct. 7.

"With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh," a family representative said. "The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time."

Israel recovered the hostages' bodies from a tunnel under Rafah in Gaza.

"I am devastated and outraged," said President Joe Biden in a statement.

The six hostages were killed shortly before the Israeli forces reached them less than a mile from where another hostage, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, was rescued earlier in the week, according to IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.

"Since Farhan’s identification, the forces have been instructed to act with extra caution, even more so than usual, understanding that there might be additional hostages in the area," he said. "We did not have information on the exact location of the hostages."

The Israel Defense Forces identified the other hostages as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino.