The bodies of six hostages, including American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were discovered in a tunnel beneath Gaza in the city of Rafah on Saturday. This location is significant because it is the very city that Kamala Harris had previously urged Israel not to enter.

In February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was ready to move into Rafah, a critical area on the Gaza-Egypt border, where Hamas leaders were believed to be hiding and holding Israeli hostages. However, Kamala Harris, echoing the Biden administration’s concerns, advised Israel against entering Rafah. Harris warned of the potential for high civilian casualties and hinted at “consequences” if Israel proceeded, which was interpreted as a possible threat to withhold U.S. military aid. “I’ve studied the maps,” Harris stated in her cautionary remarks.

Despite these warnings, Israel determined that entering Rafah was necessary. The operation resulted in the deaths of hundreds of terrorists with minimal civilian casualties, although many Hamas leaders are thought to have relocated within the Gaza Strip. During this operation, Israel also managed to rescue one hostage and tragically recovered the bodies of several others, including Goldberg-Polin and five others.

Additionally, Israeli forces established control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategically important route along the Gaza-Egypt border. This area had been a critical smuggling route for Hamas, where tunnels were used to transport weapons and other materials into Gaza. Israeli troops have since discovered and destroyed these tunnels.

IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari reported on Sunday that the six hostages had been brutally murdered by Hamas as Israeli soldiers were closing in on their location. The discovery of the hostages’ bodies may have been aided by intelligence obtained from a hostage who was rescued earlier in the week.

The tragic discovery underscores the complexity and the high stakes involved in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the difficult decisions faced by leaders on both sides and the devastating human toll of the situation.

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The resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza was passed by the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, with 153 countries in favor, ten opposed, and 23 abstentions. Among the countries opposing the resolution were the United States and Israel. The resolution urges an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, where Israel has conducted attacks against the militant group Hamas. It also calls for adherence to international humanitarian law and demands that Hamas release hostages taken during an October 7 surprise attack, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli casualties.

Hamas temporarily released approximately 100 of the estimated 240 hostages during a cease-fire that concluded on December 1. Concerns have been raised by humanitarian groups, policymakers, and various nations about the humanitarian crisis and the endangerment of millions of civilians due to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reports that over 18,000 people have died in the territory since the conflict began. International organizations have also highlighted the insufficient availability of essential supplies, food, and water for Palestinians in Gaza.

The nonbinding resolution was passed shortly after the United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution advocating for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. The Security Council resolution would have compelled Israel to halt its military actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Here are all the countries that joined the U.S. and Israel in opposing the measure: 

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