Hollywood figures, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Gal Gadot, and Debra Messing, have expressed deep sorrow and outrage following the discovery of the bodies of six Israeli hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for nearly a year. The hostages, who were abducted by Hamas during the October 7 attacks on Israel last year, were found dead in a tunnel beneath the city of Rafah, as announced by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) on Sunday. The victims—Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Ori Danino—were reportedly killed just before Israeli forces could reach them.
The news has sparked widespread grief and anger, with protests erupting across Israel, demanding a ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages. The lack of negotiation efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has drawn sharp criticism, particularly on social media, where calls for a ceasefire-for-hostages deal have intensified.
Gwyneth Paltrow, taking to Instagram, extended her condolences to the families of the victims and highlighted the ongoing crisis of women still held captive by Hamas. “To the families of each hostage whose life was stolen, I have thought of you every day for 11 months, but today I send you my heart,” Paltrow wrote. She also criticized the lack of attention from feminists on the issue, emphasizing that 17 women are still being held.
Among the victims was Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose parents became prominent advocates for his release. Their emotional plea at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) last year, where they described their son’s bravery during his abduction at the Nova Music Festival, resonated with millions. After news of Goldberg-Polin’s death surfaced, Debra Messing shared a tearful post, condemning those who had opposed the IDF’s offensive in Rafah. “The collective grief, the agony that comes with the news that Hersh and those five beautiful souls were executed ISIS style in the last two days is unbearable,” Messing wrote.
Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress known for her role as Wonder Woman, also took to social media to express her heartbreak. She shared a montage of the six victims and wrote, “They survived almost 11 months in captivity and then were murdered by Hamas. People who became an inseparable part of our hearts, families who waited so long for a different end, the heart is broken into pieces today. 101 more hostages still there.”
In a show of solidarity, Ben Stiller posted three blue hearts on X (formerly Twitter), offering support to the grieving families. Music producer Scooter Braun also joined in, posting that he would wear the number 331 to honor the strength of the families during the 330 days of captivity endured by the hostages.
Meanwhile, WME agent Brandt Joel became embroiled in controversy after sending a controversial message in a WhatsApp group, which he later deleted, further inflaming tensions.
Hamas spokesperson Izzat al-Rishq claimed that the deaths of the hostages were a result of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, urging President Joe Biden to stop supporting Israel’s military efforts. This claim has been met with skepticism, as the IDF has accused Hamas of deliberately killing the hostages.
The discovery of the hostages’ bodies has reignited protests across Israel, with demonstrators demanding a ceasefire and the immediate release of all remaining captives. The situation remains tense as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, leaving families and supporters of the victims grappling with profound grief and a desperate need for resolution.
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