Irish leader repeats Gaza ceasefire call after 6 hostages found dead

The Irish prime minister has described the murder of six Israeli hostages in Gaza as an outrage . Simon Harris reiterated his call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire following the discovery of the bodies of the six hostages in Rafah , southern Gaza , on Saturday . Israel has said they were killed shortly before its forces reached the tunnel in which they were found . The hostages have been named as Carmel Gat , 40 , Hersh Goldberg - Polin , 23 , Alexander Lobanov , 33 , Eden Yerushalmi , 24 , Almog Sarusi , 27 , and Ori Danino , 25 . In a statement , Harris said : " The news from Israel on the deaths of six hostages is heartbreaking and an outrage . " These innocent people were abducted and held by Hamas for nearly 11 months . Reports they were murdered in recent days are sickening . " This is the latest outrage and atrocity in a year of bloody inhumanity . This violence and death cannot continue and every life that can be saved , must be saved . " We need an immediate and lasting ceasefire . Ireland cal ls on Hamas and the [ Israeli ] Netanyahu government to make this a reality . " All remaining hostages should be returned to their families and aid needs to flow freely to Gaza before the humanitarian catastrophe deepens . " Ireland ' s solidarity and sympathy are today with the families and the communities of the six innocent hostages confirmed dead . " May their memories be a blessing ." dpa pa mew Source: The Namibia News Agency