Bodies of six hostages found in Gaza

The news that the six hostages were brutally murdered just hours before Israeli forces got to them, have sent Israel into shock on Sunday morning.

Collective fear
Not since October 7th, has such collective anguish been felt. Alex Lubnov, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, and Almog Sarusi were found in a tunnel 20 meters underground. Only Carmel Gat had lived to see 40, the others were in their twenties, save for 32-year old Alex Lubnov.

The news of the murder of the hostages has also brought a fracture between the political and military echelons.  More high-ranking generals in the military and security service, are imploring Netanyahu that whatever had been done successfully until now regarding military operations in Gaza, a deal should be struck to avoid the murder of any of the hostages who maybe still alive.

Turbulent weekend
So extensive was the shock this morning, that it remains as headlines, ousting the shooting to death of 3 Israeli policemen near Hebron, just hours after the news of the hostages had broken.

One of the policemen, Roni Shakuri, insisted on continuing serving in the police force after October 7th, even though his daughter, who was also in the police, was murdered when terrorists took over the police station in Sderot on October 7th.

In addition, both these events followed a turbulent weekend, when Palestinians carried out a combined attack in Judea, detonating two cars with explosives, then minutes later opening fire on residents in a small community as Shabbat came in.

The use of explosives has put Judea and Samaria on the highest alert. Hundreds of soldiers are being deployed to the area. And on all fronts, both internal and external, Israel is at the most critical point since war broke out.