A newly formed semi-professional basketball team in Jerusalem, Hapoel HaShisha, has officially launched with a mission to honor the memory of six Israeli hostages. The team’s name, which translates to 'The Six,' serves as a direct tribute to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Ori Danino, Alex Lubanov, Eden Yerushalmi, and Almog Sarusi.

These six individuals were among the hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Their bodies were recovered by the Israel Defense Forces from a tunnel in Rafah in late August 2024, following reports that they had been killed shortly before their discovery. The formation of the basketball team is part of a broader effort within Israeli society to commemorate those lost during the ongoing conflict. By adopting this name, the team seeks to keep the memory of these specific victims at the forefront of public consciousness as the war continues. While the team is categorized as semi-professional, its primary public identity is rooted in this act of remembrance rather than its athletic standing. The initiative reflects the deep emotional impact the deaths of these six hostages had on the Israeli public, as their recovery prompted widespread protests and national mourning across the country.