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Israeli-American hostage kidnapped at music festival on October 7 confirmed dead
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Israeli-American hostage kidnapped at music festival on October 7 confirmed dead

Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin has died, his family announced Sunday morning.

Goldberg-Polin, 23, was kidnapped at a music festival in southern Israel during the October 7 Hamas attack on the Jewish state. He lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack.

His body was found on Saturday in the tunnels beneath Rafah, along with five other hostages, after they were killed by Hamas.

He is a dual American-Israeli citizen who immigrated to Israel with his family in 2008 at the age of seven, according to a statement from his family. He is survived by his parents, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, and his two sisters.

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Photo by Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin is dead. (Israeli Defense Minister)

Family and friends of Goldberg-Polin traveled the world to demand his release, meeting with world leaders, including Biden administration officials.

President Biden said he was “devastated and outraged” by the news of Goldberg-Polin’s death.

“It is as tragic as it is reprehensible,” he said. “Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will continue to work day and night to secure a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”

Vice President Kamala Harris, also the Democratic presidential candidate, said she is praying for Goldberg-Polin’s loved ones as they grieve his loss.

“Hamas is an evil terrorist organization,” Harris said. “With these murders, Hamas has more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas’ continued brutality, and so must the world. From the mass murder of 1,200 people to sexual violence, hostage-taking, and these murders, Hamas’ depravity is evident and horrific.”

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Hersh Goldberg-Polin

Goldberg-Polin, 23, was kidnapped at a music festival in southern Israel during the Hamas attack on October 7. (IDF state)

“The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel — and American citizens in Israel — must be eliminated, and Hamas cannot control Gaza,” she added. “The Palestinian people have also suffered under Hamas’ rule for nearly two decades.”

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The other bodies recovered on Saturday are those of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Sergeant Ori Danino.

The six victims were shot by their captors shortly before the arrival of the Israel Defense Forces, the IDF said. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he “embraces their families with all his heart and apologizes for not being able to bring them home safely.”

“A few hours ago, we informed the families that the bodies of their loved ones were found by IDF forces in an underground tunnel in Rafah,” IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement. “According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them.”

Fox News’ Yonat Friling contributed to this report.