Munder, Dancyg, Peri, and Metzger were alive when Hamas kidnapped them from their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. Buchshtav and Popplewell were alive when they were taken hostage from Kibbutz Nirim.

In December, Hamas published a video showing that Peri, Metzger, and a third hostage were still alive. In May of this year, Hamas published another propaganda video showing Popplewell still alive.

The six men’s murdered bodies were discovered hidden in a Hamas tunnel beneath the designated “humanitarian area” of Khan Yunis.

Congress approved millions of dollars and armaments and aid for Israel last fall. But Biden and Harris have resolutely REFUSED to deliver it to Israel.

As of today’s writing, it has been 319 days since Hamas slaughtered over 1,000 innocent Israeli civilians and took more than 250 Jews hostage.

Hamas still holds captive 109 hostages in their murderous hands. At least 71 of those hostages are thought to be alive. As we saw with the six bodies recovered, however, nothing is certain other than the fact that every passing day increases the risk of Hamas murdering yet more of their Jewish prisoners.

Eight hostages are Americans, ranging from 19 to 73 years old:

• Edan Alexander, 19, New Jersey.

• Itay Chen, 19, New York.

• Omer Neutra, 22, New York.

• Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, California.

• Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, Connecticut.

• Keith Siegel, 64, North Carolina.

• Judith Weinstein Haggai, 70, New York.

• Gadi Haggai, 73, New York.

What is clear, however, is that Israel will not rest until every single hostage is returned. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ self-declared arms embargo is preventing that from happening.

Finally, I ask you to pray for the people of Israel, their leaders, and each of the hostages still held in Hamas’ Gaza bunkers.

Mat Staver
Chairman
Christians in Defense of Israel

P.S. If you are tired of public schools lying and twisting the truth about Judeo-Christian heritage, consider the Christ-centered education our Covenant Journey Academy provides. We’ve made K-12 home and remote schooling easy. Tuition discounts are now available. Learn more at CJ.Academy.

Sources:

Aitken, Peter, and Yonat Friling. “Israel Recovers 6 Dead Hostages in ‘Complex Rescue Operation,’ Says Bodies Held under Humanitarian Area.” Fox News, August 20, 2024. Foxnews.com/world/israel-recovers-6-dead-hostages-complex-rescue-operation-says-bodies-held-under-humanitarian-area.

Fabian, Emanuel. "IDF Recovers Bodies of 6 Hostages from Gaza, Including One Hitherto Presumed Alive.” The Times of Israel, August 20, 2024. Timesofisrael.com/idf-recovers-bodies-of-6-hostages-from-gaza-including-one-previously-presumed-alive.

‌“Meet the Eight American Hostages Still Held by Hamas.” AJC, June 6, 2024. AJC.org/news/meet-the-eight-american-hostages-still-held-by-hamas.