Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin has tragically passed away, confirmed by the White House. His body was among the six bodies of Hamas-held captives recovered in a tunnel under Rafah, Israel. President Joe Biden expressed devastation and outrage over the loss of the 23-year-old, who was captured during a brutal attack on Israeli border communities by Hamas. The discovery of the bodies comes amidst Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza, which has resulted in a high number of casualties. Biden praised Goldberg-Polin’s parents for their courage and advocacy on behalf of hostages held in inhumane conditions.
Biden remains optimistic that a truce can be reached to end the conflict, expressing hope for a resolution to the ongoing violence. The recent discovery of the bodies follows the successful rescue of another hostage taken during the same Hamas rampage. Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a member of Israel’s Arab Bedouin minority, was rescued from an underground tunnel thanks to extensive intelligence. Israeli strikes in Gaza have continued, resulting in casualties and clashes in various areas of the enclave.
The United Nations planned to start a polio vaccination campaign for children in Gaza, relying on temporary ceasefires in fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas. The situation remains volatile, with ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns in the region.
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