The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) recovered the bodies of six Israeli hostages in Rafah, Gaza on Aug. 31. Israel’s health ministry performed an autopsy and reported that the bodies were found with multiple gunshot wounds. The ministry reported that the hostages were shot between 48 and 72 hours before the autopsy.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli citizen, was among those found. Hersh’s parents Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin have been prominent voices in the movement urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the swift return of the hostages. Notably, the two started their own organization, “Bring Hersh Home,” which has gained a significant amount of social media support- over 165k followers on Instagram -and news coverage.
“I was heartbroken,” sophomore Josie Singer said. “I have family connected to Hersh, and it’s heartbreaking and disappointing because we had so much faith that he was going to come home.”
The other bodies have been identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sergeant Ori Danino. The hostages were “brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists, a short while before we reached them,” the IDF said. Three of the six hostages found were supposed to be released as part of a “humanitarian category,” based on an agreement between Israel and Hamas in early July, according to two Israeli officials.
Jewish populations across the world are mourning the news. In Israel, protests have erupted, calling on Netanyahu and the Israeli government to make a hostage deal quickly. Hundreds from Skokie’s Jewish community gathered to march, remember, and mourn the lives lost. Mourners also lit candles and placed stones at Skokie’s Holocaust Monument to commemorate the victims.
Jewish students at Niles North are bereaved, as well. “I was heartbroken to hear the news,” senior Eva Spiro said. “I started crying, feeling as though I had failed those beautiful, innocent people. It was some of the worst news I’ve ever had to hear.”
Israeli and Palestinian citizens, watchful Americans, and students at Niles North are all waiting for an end to the war.
“This war is just absolutely devastating,” senior Bobby Schneider said. “I hope it will end soon. There’s no need for more violence.”
