The family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin announced early Sunday that he had been confirmed dead.
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was abducted during Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, while attending a music festival. He lost part of his left arm during the attack after being hit by a grenade.
His body was recovered on Saturday in tunnels beneath Rafah, along with five other hostages, after being killed by Hamas.
Goldberg-Polin, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, immigrated to Israel with his family in 2008 at the age of seven, according to a family statement. He is survived by his parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, and his two sisters.
Goldberg-Polin’s family and friends had been demanding his release and met with world leaders, including officials in the Biden administration.
President Biden said he was “devastated and outraged” by the news of Goldberg-Polin’s death.
“It is as tragic as it is reprehensible,” he said. “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 the Democratic nominee for president, said her prayers are with Goldberg-Polin’s loved ones as they mourn his loss.
“Hamas is an evil terrorist organization,” Harris said. “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.”
“The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel — and American citizens in Israel — must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza,” she added. “The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas’ rule for nearly two decades.”
The other bodies recovered on Saturday were those of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sergeant Ori Danino.
The six victims were killed shortly before Israeli Defense Forces arrived, according to the IDF. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he “embrace[s] their families with all my heart, and apologize[s] for failing to bring them home safely.”
“A few hours ago, we informed the families that the bodies of their loved ones had been located by IDF troops in an underground tunnel in Rafah,” IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement. “According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.”
‘ Yonat Friling contributed to this report.