(L-R) Goldberg Polin, Danino, Yerushalmi, Sarusi, Lobanov & Gat

Honoring the Fallen: Here Are The Six Hostages Murdered by Hamas

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The Judean Staff
National

In a heart-wrenching blow to families who have tirelessly advocated for the return of their kidnapped loved ones, the State of Israel announced on Sunday the devastating news: the bodies of two women and four men, mercilessly abducted by Hamas on October 7 and executed just hours before Israeli forces found them, have been recovered. The names of Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Eden Yerushalmi are now etched in the annals of Israel’s tragedy, a reminder of the monstrous evil unleashed upon innocent lives.

These six individuals, each with dreams, families, and futures, were among the 251 souls snatched by Hamas during the brutal October 7 attacks, which left an unimaginable 1,200 dead in Israel. Five of these victims were abducted from the Tribe of Nova trance music festival, a celebration of life turned into a nightmare, and one was taken from a kibbutz in southern Israel—a place that should have been a sanctuary but instead became a scene of terror.

As of now, government estimates suggest that 64 hostages might still be alive, held captive in the dark abyss of the Gaza Strip. Yet, the Israeli government has kept the details of these estimates close to the chest, possibly to protect sensitive intelligence or to shield the fragile hopes of the families from the harsh realities of war.

The recovered bodies bore the grim marks of their killers: multiple close-range gunshots, inflicted with cold-blooded cruelty in the last 48 to 72 hours. Shira Solomon, spokesperson for Israel’s Health Ministry, shared this horrifying revelation, adding another layer of sorrow to an already unbearable situation. Even more heart-wrenching is the knowledge that at least four of these victims were slated for release under a U.S.-brokered cease-fire, a glimmer of hope cruelly extinguished by the darkness of Hamas's brutality.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23: A Life of Promise Cut Short

Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American citizen, was a beacon of hope for those who clung to the belief that their loved ones would return home. Born in California but raised in Jerusalem, Hersh became one of the most recognized faces of the hostages, thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of his parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin. Their anguish was palpable as they took to the stage at the Democratic National Convention last month, delivering an emotional plea to their son: “We love you, stay strong, survive.”

Hersh was at the Tribe of Nova music festival, celebrating his birthday when the unthinkable happened. Hamas militants stormed the festival, turning a joyous occasion into a scene of terror. In the chaos, Hersh sought refuge in a public bomb shelter, but even there, safety was an illusion. Grenades and gunfire rained down on the shelter, and when Hersh emerged, he was grievously injured—his arm had been torn from his body, and he had fashioned a makeshift tourniquet to stem the bleeding. The last messages he sent to his mother on WhatsApp, just two simple phrases, now echo with unbearable sorrow: “I love you” and “I’m sorry.”

Ori Danino, 25: A Hero Who Tried to Save Others

Ori Danino, the eldest of five siblings, was known for his ambition and love for people—a nature lover who dreamed of becoming an engineer. He was taken from the Tribe of Nova festival, not while trying to flee, but while attempting to help others. The cruel irony is that his heroic spirit, which so many admired, was the very reason he was captured.

Ori’s partner, Liel Avraham, expressed the shock and disbelief that still grips those who knew him. “Under no scenario did we expect such an end. We knew that Ori was alive until very recently,” she said, her voice heavy with grief. His brother, Aharon, gave a tearful eulogy at Ori’s funeral in Jerusalem, his words a poignant reminder of the bond they shared: “You always ensured that I would feel protected, safe—that no matter what, you would always be there to help and protect.”

Alexander Lobanov, 32: A Father Who Never Got to Hold His Newborn

Alexander Lobanov, a bartender from Ashkelon, was a man whose life was defined by his love for his family. On that fateful day, he was working at the Tribe of Nova festival, and when the attack began, he ran into the nearby forest with five others, helping them escape. But fate was cruel—Lobanov was captured while the others managed to flee.

The sorrow of his parents, Oksana and Gregory, is beyond words. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally apologized to them for failing to bring Alexander and the other hostages back alive. “I want to tell you how sorry I am and ask for forgiveness,” he said, his voice filled with the weight of the nation’s grief. Alexander leaves behind a wife, Michal, and two young children—one of whom was born while he was in captivity. At his funeral, Michal vowed to pass on his love for life and freedom to their children, even as her tears spoke of a pain that words cannot express.

Carmel Gat, 40: A Guardian Angel Lost Too Soon

Carmel Gat was an occupational therapist from Tel Aviv who was visiting her parents in a kibbutz when Hamas militants kidnapped her. Her mother, Kinneret, was killed during the attack, leaving a void in the family that can never be filled. Carmel’s love for music, especially Radiohead, and her passion for travel, made her a beloved figure among her friends and family.

Returned hostages spoke of Carmel as a “guardian angel” during their captivity, teaching them meditation and yoga to help them endure the long days of fear and uncertainty. Her cousin, Gil Dickmann, lamented the cruel twist of fate that prevented her release during the brief cease-fire: “We were just hours away—and our Carmeli could have been home now.”

Eden Yerushalmi, 24: A Young Woman Who Loved Life

Eden Yerushalmi was a vibrant young woman from Tel Aviv, studying to become a Pilates instructor when she was violently abducted. Her final moments of communication were with her sisters, Shani and May, who tried to guide her to safety during the attack. “Shani, they caught me,” were her last words, spoken as she turned 24 in captivity.

At her funeral, her father collapsed in grief, a man broken by the loss of his daughter. The vibrant life Eden led, so full of joy and potential, was snuffed out by an act of unimaginable cruelty.

Almog Sarusi, 27: A Traveler Who Loved Life’s Journey

Almog Sarusi, from Raanana, was a free spirit who loved to travel in his white jeep, his guitar always by his side. He was taken from the Tribe of Nova festival, where his girlfriend was also killed in the attack. Described as a “vibrant, positive person,” Almog’s life was one of joy and adventure, a stark contrast to the horror he faced in his final days.

At his funeral, his mother Nira’s voice trembled with anguish as she spoke of the family’s ordeal. “How we prayed to hug you, to see your smile. We hoped to see you happy, surrounded by family and friends, but you were abandoned, day by day,” she said, her words a searing indictment of the government’s failure to secure the release of the hostages.

A Nation in Mourning, A Nation Determined

As Israel mourns the loss of these six precious lives, the resolve to bring justice to those who perpetrated these heinous crimes only grows stronger. The grief is deep, the pain immeasurable, but so too is the determination of a nation that will not rest until every captive is returned and every act of terror is avenged.

These stories, these lives, remind us all of the human cost of terrorism and the unbreakable spirit of those who endure it. In their memory, Israel stands united, resolute in its pursuit of peace, security, and justice for all its citizens.

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