(JTA) — Jews around the world are marking a grim date: the first anniversary on the Jewish calendar of the execution of six hostages in Gaza.
Their yahrzeit falls on Av 25, which began at sundown Monday.
The family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin — the American Israeli born in Berkeley who became an international symbol of the hostages due to the tireless advocacy of his parents — asked supporters to take action in the memory of him and the five others who were shot to death by Hamas in a tunnel under Rafah.
“Please do something during those 24 hours to make our complicated world a bit better. It can be something big or small, quiet or loud, private or public,” the family posted on Instagram. “Do it in memory of the Beautiful Six, including our Hersh. May his memory be a revolution … for goodness.”
The five other captives killed in late August 2024 after approximately 330 days in captivity were Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Alex Lubanov, Almog Sarusi and Eden Yerushalmi.
Their yahrzeit comes amid continued uncertainty over the prospects for release of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza, of whom 20 are thought to remain alive. They have been held for more than 680 days under dire conditions.
The Israeli government has announced plans to invade Gaza City, a final remaining Hamas stronghold and where the remaining captives are thought to be held, despite concerns from the military and hostage families that doing so would risk hostages’ lives.
The six captives killed last summer were executed as Israeli military forces neared the tunnel.
Hamas has reportedly now accepted a deal that it declined last month to cease fighting and release some of the hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and other concessions.
Polls show that 80% of Israelis say they support a deal that would end the war and win the hostages’ freedom. Around 1 million Israelis demonstrated this week to press the case.
But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is no longer willing to consider partial deals and will only agree to cease fighting if Hamas surrenders or is defeated as a military force. He appeared dismissive of the new reports of Hamas’ willingness to make a deal, saying only that they showed that the Gaza City plan had placed Hamas “under immense pressure.” His far-right coalition partners have said they would not support any deal.