The military stated on Sunday that the remains were found “from an underground tunnel in the Rafah area” and brought back to Israel, where they were formally identified.
The captives were identified as Almog Sarusi, Alex Lobanov, Carmel Gat, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, and Hersh Goldberg-Polin. According to the military, the captives were likely killed shortly before their bodies were recovered.
In response, a group representing the families of hostages, who have been critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach, called for a large-scale protest on Sunday.
They demanded a “complete halt of the country” to press for a ceasefire and the release of the remaining captives.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed frustration, stating, “A deal for the return of the hostages has been on the table for over two months. Were it not for the delays, sabotage, and excuses, those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive. It’s time to bring our hostages home.”
Senior Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq claimed that the captives were killed in Israeli airstrikes and accused the United States of complicity in the ongoing conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday to retaliate against Hamas, stating, “We will hunt you down” and that those responsible for killing hostages do not want a Gaza truce.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza was launched in response to the October 7 attack on southern Israel, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage.
Since the conflict began, over 40,530 people in Gaza have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory.
US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators are currently working to broker a ceasefire deal that could see Hamas release the 97 remaining hostages, including at least 33 who are presumed dead, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Meanwhile, a UN-led polio vaccination campaign has commenced in Gaza, targeting around 640,000 children under the age of 10 after the potentially deadly virus was detected in wastewater samples earlier this year.
This effort includes three “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting, beginning on Sunday, to facilitate the vaccinations.