JERUSALEM, Sept 1 (HT) – Israel announced the recovery of the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Gaza on Sunday, sparking widespread protests and outrage across the country.
According to Israeli military sources, the bodies of Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino were recovered from an underground tunnel in Rafah, Gaza. Forensic examination revealed that they were “murdered by Hamas terrorists in a number of shots at close range” 48-72 hours previously.
The announcement triggered protests in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with thousands of Israelis calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take action to bring the remaining hostages home from Gaza. The head of Israel’s trades union federation, Arnon Bar-David, called for a general strike on Monday to pressure the government into signing a deal.
NETANYAHU VOWS TO CATCH THOSE RESPONSIBLE
In response to the news, Netanyahu vowed to catch those responsible for the murders. “Whoever murders hostages – does not want a deal,” he said. Senior Hamas officials, however, blamed Israel for the deaths, saying that Netanyahu’s refusal to sign a ceasefire agreement was to blame.
‘Devastated and Outraged’ by Unacceptable Violence Against Israeli Civilians
LABOUR STRIKES AND PROTESTS PLANNED
As pressure mounted on Netanyahu to act, labour unions and municipal services in Tel Aviv and other cities planned half-day strikes on Monday in solidarity with the hostages and their families. Protests are also expected to continue throughout the week, with thousands of Israelis expected to take part.
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US PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN CONDEMNS HAMAS
US President Joe Biden expressed his outrage and devastation at the news of the death of 23-year-old Israeli American Goldberg-Polin and the other hostages. “Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes,” he said. “And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”
POLIO VACCINATIONS BEGIN IN GAZA
Despite the ongoing violence, humanitarian efforts continued in Gaza, with a polio vaccination campaign beginning on Sunday. The campaign aims to vaccinate 640,000 children against polio after a baby was partially paralyzed by the type 2 polio virus last month.
VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN OCCUPIED WEST BANK
Violence also erupted in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, with Israeli forces battling Hamas-led militants in several areas. Three Israeli police officers were killed when their vehicle came under fire near the city of Hebron. Hundreds of Israeli troops have been carrying out raids across the West Bank since Wednesday in an effort to root out Islamist militants.
HUMANITARIAN CRISIS DEEPENS
The war has created a major humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with at least 40,738 Palestinians killed and 94,154 injured since October 7. The conflict has also fueled tensions across the region and in the occupied West Bank.