Raanana, Israel: On Sunday, families of Israeli hostages whose bodies were recovered from Gaza held poignant funerals marked by deep grief and sharp criticism of the government. Almog Sarusi’s mother, Nira, addressed mourners in Raanana, expressing her anguish and frustration. “Almog, my dear son, how much hope we had… But on October 7 you were neglected,” she lamented, referring to the Hamas attack that led to the abduction of her son and others from the Nova music festival.
The attack on October 7 resulted in 1,205 deaths, including Sarusi and five other hostages discovered in a Gaza tunnel. Israeli authorities confirmed their identities on Sunday, revealing that they were shot at close range before being found.
The aftermath of Israel’s military campaign, which has claimed 40,738 lives in Gaza according to Hamas-run health ministry figures, has intensified calls for a ceasefire. The UN reports that many of the deceased in Gaza are women and children.
The identification of the six hostages sparked renewed anger towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Critics accuse him of failing to secure a ceasefire or negotiate the release of remaining captives. This discontent fueled large-scale protests in Jerusalem, where demonstrators demanded answers and action from the government.
At the funerals, which drew subdued but heartfelt gatherings, friends and family members of the deceased, including Eden Yerushalmi and Hersh Goldberg-Polin, mourned openly. In Raanana, Nira Sarusi declared, “Enough, no more. We paid the worst price. I hope that we will be the last ones.”
The investigation and ongoing conflict continue to cast a shadow over Israel, as families and the nation grapple with the painful realities of war and the search for peace.