In the latest Israel news, the intensity of the war might have just spiked following the bodies of six hostages recovered in Gaza by Israel.
What Happened?
Israel declared that its forces known better as Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have recovered the bodies of six hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement released on Saturday, the 31st of August, the IDF said these bodies were found in an underground tunnel in the Rafah area of southern Gaza.
The IDF identified these hostages as: Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt Ori Danino.
Following this incident, the Spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Adm Daniel Hagari said that these victims were "brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them".
In response to this statement, a senior Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, insisted Israel was responsible for their deaths, because it refused to sign a ceasefire deal with Palestine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not rest until those responsible for their killing are brought to justice, and this might just have spiked the war.
According to the Israeli Prime minister, “whoever murders hostages - does not want a deal.”
What are Israelis Saying About This?
A group representing the families of those held hostage in Gaza has demanded that the prime minister, Mr Netanyahu, "address the nation and take responsibility for abandoning the hostages".
The Hostages Families Forum said that the six captives were “murdered in the last few days, after surviving almost 11 months of abuse, torture, and starvation in Hamas captivity.”
"The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages," they added in a statement.
This means that they believe the prime minister could have found means to save the dead hostages if they had been a priority to him and his administration.
The group has also announced plans to "bring the nation to a halt" and asked the Israeli public to join protests in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other parts of Israel.
What Has the Rest of the World Said?
One of the victims of the hostages happens to be an American who went by the name Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
US President Joe Biden said he was "devastated and outraged" by the news, and added in the statement that "Hersh was among the innocents brutally attacked while attending a music festival for peace in Israel on 7 October”.
"He lost his arm helping friends and strangers during Hamas’ savage massacre. He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world.
"I have gotten to know his parents, Jon and Rachel. They have been courageous, wise, and steadfast, even as they have endured the unimaginable," Mr Biden said.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed shock at the "horrific and senseless killing of six hostages in Gaza by Hamas".
"Hamas must release all the hostages now, and a ceasefire deal must be agreed by all sides immediately to end the suffering," he mentioned in a post on X.
Final Notes
Despite the international community calling for immediate ceasefire negotiations, tensions remain high with the possibility of it climbing higher as Israel vows to hold those responsible accountable. The world watches to see how Israelis react, if Palestines are affected, and the role international communities play.