American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin among 6 dead hostages found in Hamas tunnel under Rafah

On Saturday night, the Israel Defense Forces retrieved the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel under the city of Rafah in Gaza including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose parents addressed the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last week. Both Kamala Harris and Joe Biden previously told Israel not to enter the Gazan city.

Among the victims were Eden Yerushalmi (24), Carmel Gat (39) Almog Sarusi (26) Alex Lubnov (32), and Ori Danino (25) who were all abducted during the terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. 

US President Joe Biden said, “I am devastated and outraged. Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on October 7. He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas’ savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world.”

Biden added, “I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable. They have been relentless and irrepressible champions of their son and of all the hostages held in unconscionable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express.” 

“I know all Americans tonight will have them in their prayers, just as Jill and I will,” Biden continued. “I have worked tirelessly to bring their beloved Hersh safely to them and am heartbroken by the news of his death. It is as tragic as it is reprehensible.”

Biden vowed, “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 added in her own statement, “Doug and my prayers are with Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s parents, and with everyone who knew and loved Hersh. When I met with Jon and Rachel earlier this year, I told them: You are not alone. That remains true as they mourn this terrible loss. Americans and people around the world will pray for Jon, Rachel, and their family and send them love and strength. As is said in the Jewish tradition, may Hersh’s memory be a blessing.”

Harris continued, “Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. 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. The Palestinian people too have suffered under Hamas’ rule for nearly two decades.”

Harris pledged, “As Vice President, I have no higher priority than the safety of American citizens, wherever they are in the world. President Biden and I will never waver in our commitment to free the Americans and all those held hostage in Gaza.”

Biden and Harris both opposed the IDF incursion into Rafah, the last remaining Hamas stronghold in Gaza. Politico reported in March that Biden would consider placing conditions on future military aid to Israel if it moved ahead with a Rafah offensive and called an incursion into the city a "red line." Later that month during an interview with ABC, Harris was asked if Israel would face consequences for going into Rafah. Harris replied, “I am ruling out nothing.”