DC Jewish community holds vigil to honor 6 Israeli hostages killed in Gaza
WASHINGTON - A vigil was held Tuesday in Washington, D.C., to honor six Israeli hostages killed in Gaza.
The hostages were captured during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which ignited the Gaza war. The Israeli army identified the hostages as Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23; Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; Alexander Lobanov, 33; and Carmel Gat, 40.
The observance was organized by several D.C. area groups, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
It was held at Adas Israel Congregation in Northwest, Washington D.C. Speakers included hostage family members, interfaith representatives, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and community leaders.
US charges Hamas leader, militants over Oct. 7 Israel attack
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, along with other militants, has been charged by the U.S. Justice Department in connection with the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel.
The Israeli military reported that all six hostages were killed shortly before Israeli forces attempted to rescue them. Their bodies were found in a tunnel beneath the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Three of the hostages, including Goldberg-Polin, were reportedly scheduled for release in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed in July.
News of their deaths has sparked calls for mass protests by families of the hostages, who believe they could have been returned alive in a cease-fire deal. Tens of thousands of grieving and angry Israelis surged into the streets of Tel Aviv on Sunday night, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a cease-fire with Hamas to bring the remaining captives home.
The vigil began at 8 p.m. and was livestreamed by Adas Israel Congregation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.