Schiff on hostage deaths: ‘Sons of b‑‑‑‑es who did this’ must be ‘brought to justice’

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the leading Senate candidate in California, said Sunday that Hamas must be “hunted down and brought to justice” after recent news that six hostages, including California native Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were killed this weekend.

Schiff called the news “devastating” in an interview Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Dana Bash.

“When I heard the news last night, I felt sick. I am just heartbroken for Hersh’s family, for the families of these other hostages that were butchered by these Hamas terrorists. And it just is hard to wrap your head around,” Schiff said. “I think we all came to know Hersh through his family, and it’s just, it’s just devastating.”

“And these sons of b‑‑‑‑es who did this ought to be hunted down and brought to justice, no matter how long that takes,” Schiff added.

Schiff said he hopes for a “negotiated end” to the nearly 11-month war in Gaza following the news.

“I hope and pray — I think, as we all do — that there is a negotiated end to this war and soon and that not another innocent person loses their life, and I just can’t imagine how his family must feel right now,” he added.

The interview comes after the Israeli military announced Sunday that six hostages were killed by Hamas shortly before forces reached them in an underground tunnel in Rafah.

The bodies of those recovered included Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi and Alex Lobanov, military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing. Their bodies were brought back to Israeli territory for identification before their families were informed.

Goldberg-Polin was taken along with four of the other hostages during a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault, The Associated Press reported.

His family has become among the most outspoken hostage families calling for their son to return home.

“With broken hearts, the Goldberg-Polin family is devastated to announce the death of their beloved son and brother, Hersh. The family thanks you all for your love and support and asks for privacy at this time,” the family said in a statement Sunday.