Politicians mourn hostages, express outrage at Hamas and renew calls for an end to the war

WASHINGTON — Condolences from the White House, members of Congress and political campaigns poured in during the aftermath of the Israeli Defense Forces recovering the bodies of six hostages.

Politicians from both sides of the aisle mourned the deaths of the six hostages, including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. The other hostages were identified by the IDF as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Master Sgt. Ori Danino.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that he was "devastated and outraged," emphasizing that "Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes." Similarly, Vice President Kamala Harris in a statement said, "may Hersh’s memory be a blessing," invoking a phrase Jews use to mourn the dead.

"Hamas is an evil terrorist organization," Harris said in the statement, which was in her official White House capacity, rather than part of her campaign operation. "With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands."

Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, also called Hamas a "brutal terrorist organization" and wrote on X, "We condemn their continued atrocities against both Americans and Israelis in the strongest possible terms."

Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg.Greg Kahn for NBC News

Both Biden and Harris have spoken with Goldberg-Polin's parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, on Sunday, according to the White House and a Harris post to X. National security adviser Jake Sullivan also held a virtual meeting on Sunday with families of American hostages, where he discussed Goldberg-Polin's killing and discussed diplomatic updates, according to the White House.

Former President Donald Trump said in an X post that "we grieve the senseless death of the Israeli Hostages" but placed the blame for the deaths at the feet of Biden and Harris.

"Our Country and our amazing people are not safe under Joe Biden, and will be less safe under Kamala Harris," he said. "This terror would have never happened if I were President, and it will stop the day I am back in the Oval Office."

From top left, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi. From bottom left, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat. The six were held captive by Hamas since the Oct. 7 terror attacks, and their deaths were announced Saturday. The Hostages Families Forum via AP

Unlike Trump's, reactions from members of Congress were largely non-political, zeroing in on expressing heartbreak and outrage at Hamas, rather than directing their ire at American politicians.

"His death, and the murder of the five other hostages recovered, shows how brutal Hamas is and how urgent it remains to free all the hostages now," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., in a post to X.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said he was "heartbroken," adding, "Every hostage must be released. Bring them all home."

"I hope there’s going to be pressure on Hamas and Netanyahu to end this war, release the hostages," said Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., placed blame for the hostages’ deaths on Iran and urged the Biden administration and Israel to “hold Iran accountable.”

“If you want the hostages home, which we all do, you have to increase the cost to Iran. Iran is the great Satan. Hamas is the junior partner. They’re barbaric, religious Nazis — Hamas, they could care less about the Palestinian people,” Graham said in an interview with ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday. 

“I would urge the Biden administration and Israel to hold Iran accountable for the fate of remaining hostages and put on the target list oil refineries in Iran if the hostages are not released,” Graham said.

He additionally criticized Harris for missing Netanyahu’s address to Congress in July, saying she had boycotted it “sending a signal to Hamas and Iran that America does not really have Israel’s back.” At the time, Harris was scheduled to be in Indianapolis during Netanyahu's address with her then-nascent presidential campaign, but she met with Netanyahu privately afterward.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a post on X that he was “heartbroken” by news of Goldberg-Polin’s death and called on Israel to “finish the job.”

“Heartbroken by news of Hersh Goldberg-Polin’s death at the hands of Hamas. The savages who killed this U.S. citizen and continue to hold others hostage must pay a heavy price. Israel should finish the job to end this Iran-backed terror, and America must support this effort without caveat/conditions,” McConnell wrote.

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote on X that the hostages should “be home with their families” but instead were murdered.

“I am absolutely heartbroken by the deaths of several hostages held by Hamas, including US citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. These innocent people should all be home today with their families; instead they were murdered by terrorists. My heart is with all of the bereaved families, including the Goldberg-Polin family, who I met earlier this summer,” McCaul wrote.

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle skewered Hamas as "an organization of true evil," "monsters" and "brutal, barbaric, religious Nazis."

For months, the White House has pushed for a cease-fire proposal that would lead to the release of hostages. However, negotiations have not yet proven successful. As thousands of Israelis protested in the streets of Tel Aviv on Sunday for a hostage deal, American politicians reiterated calls for hostages to be returned home.

"Only a ceasefire will bring the hostages safely home and every day without a deal risks their lives, the lives of Palestinians, and every innocent life in Gaza," said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.

World leaders on Sunday also expressed horror and called for an end to the war.

French President Emmanuel Macron in an X post said he felt "shock and indignation," emphasizing that "there must be an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages, including our compatriots Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Kalderon."

"Canada stands with the victims’ families in your grief," said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a post to X, adding that Hamas must have "no future in the governance of Gaza."

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a post to X that the news was "a devastating reminder of the need for the unconditional release of all hostages and an end to the nightmare of war in Gaza."

Over 1,200 people were killed in Israel and around 250 others, including the six people whose bodies were discovered yesterday, were taken hostage during Hamas’ terrorist attack on Oct. 7.