Hamas's Cold-Blooded Murder Outrages Netanyahu, Promises Revenge

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the gruesome killing of six hostages by Hamas, vowing to make the terrorist organization "pay a heavy price." The hostages' bodies were discovered in tunnels below Rafah, Gaza, shortly before Israeli soldiers arrived to rescue them.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to make Hamas pay dearly for the cold-blooded murder of six hostages, whose bodies were discovered in tunnels below Rafah, Gaza, on Saturday.

The hostages, identified as Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, Eden Yerushalmi, 24, Ori Danino, 25, Alex Lobanov, 32, Carmel Gat, 40, and Almog Sarusi, 27, were abducted from Israel on October 7. Hamas released disturbing terrorist propaganda footage of the hostages, who appeared gaunt and spoke in black-and-white footage, identifying themselves and their background.

Hamas's Cold-Blooded Murder Outrages Netanyahu, Promises Revenge

Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American citizen, had part of his arm missing after a grenade attack. His father, Jonathan Polin, had earlier pleaded for a deal "with Satan" before President Biden and Vice President Harris entered the situation room to discuss the hostages' fate.

According to the Israel Defense Ministry (IDF), the hostages were likely killed shortly before Israeli soldiers arrived at the scene.

Hamas's Cold-Blooded Murder Outrages Netanyahu, Promises Revenge

"According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them," IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement.

Netanyahu expressed shock and outrage over the murders.

Hamas's Cold-Blooded Murder Outrages Netanyahu, Promises Revenge

"I am shocked to the core by the terrible cold-blooded murder of six of our abductees," Netanyahu said in a statement. "He who murders abductees - does not want a deal. We are in a difficult day. The heart of the entire nation was torn."

The IDF believes that the hostages were killed as a last-minute act of defiance against Israel.

Hamas's Cold-Blooded Murder Outrages Netanyahu, Promises Revenge

"It appears that the terrorists murdered the hostages as they realized that they were about to be rescued by our troops," Hagari said.

The discovery of the bodies has sparked outrage and condemnation from the international community. The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have all condemned the murders and called on Hamas to release the bodies of the hostages.

The United Nations Security Council has also condemned the murders and called for an independent investigation.

"The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the killing of six Israelis who were abducted by Hamas in Gaza on 7 October," UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement. "He calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of their deaths."

The murders have also raised questions about the possibility of a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. Netanyahu has said that he is not willing to negotiate with terrorists, but some experts believe that a prisoner exchange may be the only way to secure the release of the hostages' bodies.