Hostages killed by Hamas overnight before forces reached tunnel, Israel says

TEL AVIV — Six hostages found dead in the Gaza Strip were executed by Hamas the night before Israeli forces reached the tunnel where they were being held, government officials said Tuesday night.

The victims, including 23-year-old American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were killed on the evening of August 29, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, citing autopsy results.

The IDF said it reached the tunnel and made the grisly discovery on Aug. 30. Two gunmen, wielding two different weapons, are believed to have killed half a dozen hostages.

Israeli officials said AK-47 magazines and shell casings were found nearby.

“It was a difficult moment when I saw the blood stains on the floor,” said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces.

The victims’ families were shown footage of the tunnel, about 20 metres underground and 120 metres long, where their loved ones were held and where their bodies were later found, officials said.

According to the IDF, the tunnel was cramped and about 5 1/2 feet high, making it impossible to stand on your feet.

The deceased were identified as Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Senior Sergeant Ori Danino.

The killing of the six hostages has increased pressure on the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is demanding a ceasefire and an end to the ongoing bloodshed and humanitarian crisis.

More than 40,900 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel launched its offensive in response to the October 7 invasion of the Jewish state by Hamas militants, health officials in the enclave said.

At that time, approximately 1,200 people were killed in Israel and 250 were taken hostage.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.