The Hebrew University of Jerusalem bows its head in mourning for Carmel Gat, a Master’s student at the School of Occupational Therapy, who was tragically murdered while in Hamas captivity. The bodies of Carmel and five other hostages were recovered by the IDF from a Hamas terror tunnel in Rafah, Gaza. We also mourn the loss of Hersh Goldberg-Polin (23), Almog Sarusi (27), Ori Danino (25), Alexander Lobanov (33) and Eden Yerushalmi (24).
Carmel z”l, was abducted from her parents’ home in Be’eri on 7th October by Hamas terrorists and was murdered alongside five other hostages.
For 11 months, we hoped and prayed for Carmel’s safe return. At each of the Board of Governors events in which we participated in June, her picture and that of Sagui Dekel-Chen, the son of Prof Jonathan Dekel-Chen, were placed on a pair of yellow chairs on the stage, to ensure that we never forget.
That hope vanished on Sunday morning as Carmel Gat z”l was one of the six hostages tragically murdered. We extend our deepest condolences to all the grieving families. May their memories forever be a blessing.
We extend our deepest condolences to all the grieving families. May their memories forever be a blessing.
Today (Monday), the Association of University Heads in Israel issued the following statement:
We are shocked and profoundly saddened by the cold-blooded murder of the hostages, including students from various institutions, and we extend our deepest condolences to their families.
We will forever honor the heavy price paid with their lives by these students, aspiring scholars, and members of Israel’s future generation. Our commitment to supporting and strengthening the students serving in the IDF, particularly those who have been physically or mentally wounded during their service, remains unwavering.
We urge the Government of Israel to make the release of the hostages the nation’s top priority. The rescue of captives is not only a fundamental commandment in Judaism but a core value in all human societies. If we can save even one life, it is as though we have saved an entire world.
While we face a cruel and bloodthirsty enemy, the imperative to free the hostages, even at significant short-term costs, must stand alongside the long-term necessity of eradicating Hamas as a terrorist entity.