Israeli embassy in US honors memory of 6 hostages murdered by Hamas terrorists in Gaza

By New York Post (World News) | Created at 2026-08-08 22:45:45 | Updated at 2026-08-08 23:01:09 20 minutes ago

(Aug. 8, 2026 / JNS) The Israeli embassy in Washington marked on Saturday the Hebrew calendar-dated second yahrzeit—the anniversary of a person’s death—of six hostages who were murdered by Hamas terrorists in a tunnel in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip, in August 2024.

The six are Master Sgt. Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Eden Yerushalmi.

“Alongside our Shabbat candles, we light candles in their memory and carry their light forward. May their memories forever be a blessing, and may their light continue to shine,” the embassy tweeted.

 Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Almog Sarusi, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Carmel Gat, and Ori Danino.Clockwise from top left: Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Almog Sarusi, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Carmel Gat and Ori Danino. Hostages and Missing Families Forum
Pro-Israel demonstrators on the National Mall hold signs denouncing antisemitism and calling for the release of Israeli hostages.Demonstrators in support of Israel gather to denounce antisemitism and call for the release of Israeli hostages on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on Nov.14, 2023. AFP via Getty Images

All six were kidnapped alive during the Hamas-led assault on the northwestern Negev on Oct. 7, 2023.

The hostages were found in a 65-foot-deep tunnel with gunshot wounds to the head and other parts of their bodies.

This Shabbat, the 25th of Av, marks the yahrzeit of the Beautiful Six: Ori, Hersh, Eden, Almog, Carmel, and Alexander.

Alongside our Shabbat candles, we light candles in their memory and carry their light forward.

May their memories forever be a blessing, and may their light… pic.twitter.com/G58M0gB8z0

— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) August 7, 2026

One of the hostages showed signs of being tied up, and they all showed evidence of neglect and not having bathed for a long time.

In addition, there was evidence that they sustained injuries during their kidnapping that were treated over time.

The hostages are believed to have been transported from the northern Gaza Strip to the south, where they were murdered.

Their bodies were recovered by the Israel Defense Forces on Sept. 1, 2024.

Read Entire Article