Israeli Embassy Marks Second Yahrzeit of Six Hostages Killed by Hamas in Rafah Tunnel

The Israeli embassy in Washington marked on Saturday the Hebrew calendar-dated second yahrzeit — the anniversary of a person's death — of six hostages murdered by Hamas terrorists in a tunnel beneath Rafah in southern Gaza, according to JNS.

The date, the 25th of Av on the Hebrew calendar, marked this Shabbat. The embassy referred to the group as the "Beautiful Six": 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," the embassy wrote, according to both JNS and the New York Post. "May their memories forever be a blessing, and may their light continue to shine."

What happened to them

All six were kidnapped alive during the Hamas-led assault on the northwestern Negev on October 7, 2023, according to JNS and the New York Post.

According to JNS, the hostages are believed to have been transported from northern Gaza to the south, where they were ultimately murdered in a tunnel roughly 65 feet underground in Rafah in August 2024. The Israel Defense Forces recovered their bodies on September 1, 2024, JNS reported.

Both JNS and the New York Post reported that the six were found with gunshot wounds to the head and other parts of their bodies. One hostage showed signs of having been tied up. All six showed evidence of neglect, including not having bathed for a long time. Investigators also found evidence that some had sustained injuries during their kidnapping that were treated over the course of their captivity, according to both outlets.

Neither JNS nor the New York Post reported any new developments, investigations, or policy actions tied to Saturday's commemoration beyond the embassy's public tribute.