Politicians from the White House, members of Congress, and political campaigns expressed condolences after the Israeli Defense Forces recovered the bodies of six hostages, including American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned Hamas for the murders, with Harris invoking a Jewish mourning phrase for Goldberg-Polin. Former President Donald Trump blamed Biden and Harris for the deaths. Members of Congress, regardless of party, expressed heartbreak and outrage at Hamas rather than directing blame at American politicians. They called for the release of all hostages and condemned Hamas as “an organization of true evil.” World leaders also called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages. The White House has been advocating for a ceasefire deal that would lead to the release of hostages, but negotiations have not been successful. As the death toll rises, world leaders continue to call for an end to the war and the return of all hostages. French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres all emphasized the need for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The discovery of the bodies of the six hostages has brought the death toll to over 1,200 people in Israel with around 250 others taken hostage during Hamas’ terrorist attack on Oct. 7.
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