US President Joe Biden confirms: Israeli-American among six hostages declared dead in Gaza

US President Joe Biden said late Saturday that Israel had recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including that of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Goldberg-Polin, who was captured at a music festival in southern Israel on October 7, was seen in a video released by Hamas in late April.

“He had just turned 23. He planned to travel the world,” Biden was quoted as saying by Reuters. Biden, who had met Goldberg-Polin's parents, said Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin were “courageous, wise and steadfast even as they endured the unimaginable.”

“They have worked tirelessly and relentlessly for their son and all the hostages held in intolerable conditions. I admire them and grieve with them more deeply than words can express,” said the US President.

Meanwhile, the family of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin announced the young man's death early Sunday, ABC News reported. The family made its statement early Sunday, hours after the Israeli army said it had found bodies in Gaza.

“With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the passing of their beloved son and brother Hersh,” the statement said. “The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy during this time.”

The report said Goldberg-Polin, a Berkeley, California native, lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, a video released by Hamas showed him missing his left hand and clearly speaking under duress.

The Israeli military said in a statement early Sunday that the bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino had been brought to Israel.

At least 40,691 Palestinians have been killed and 94,060 injured in the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip since October 7, the enclave's health ministry said on Saturday.

The war was triggered by an attack by the Palestinian-Islamic Hamas on Israel, in which, according to Israeli sources, 1,200 people were killed and around 250 hostages taken.

(With contributions from agencies)