The Israeli military has released video footage showing a tunnel in Gaza where six hostages were recently found dead, believed to have been killed by Hamas. The footage reveals a cramped underground passage with poor ventilation and no bathroom facilities.
The discovery of these bodies last month triggered widespread outrage in Israel. The release of the footage is expected to increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a cease-fire with Hamas to bring home the remaining hostages. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that the footage had been shown to the hostages’ families, describing it as emotionally difficult for them to witness the harsh conditions their loved ones endured.
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Hagari noted that evidence suggests the six hostages, which included Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, had been protecting each other before they were killed.
Goldberg-Polin, a Berkeley, California native, had lost part of his left arm in the October 7 attack that initiated the war.
Read: Hostages Recount Hamas Forcing Them To Make Scripted Videos To Pressure Israel
The other hostages identified were Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Carmel Gat.
Three of the six hostages, including Goldberg-Polin, had reportedly been scheduled for release in an earlier cease-fire proposal, leading to heightened frustration when they were found dead.
Pathology tests indicate they were killed on the night of August 29, and the bodies were found on August 31 in Rafah, southern Gaza. Soldiers discovered them after carefully navigating the tunnel, which they suspected might be booby-trapped.
The tunnel was found beneath a children’s room and extended about 120 meters underground, with evidence of the hostages having stayed there for several days. Israeli forces uncovered improvised facilities, such as bottles of urine and a makeshift toilet, along with mattresses, clothing, and food items. Bloodstains were also found.
Hagari mentioned that Israeli soldiers killed two militants who attempted to flee the tunnel area and that DNA tests were being conducted to confirm if they were responsible for the hostages’ deaths.
Hamas initially kidnapped approximately 250 people during the October 7 attack. While more than 100 hostages were released in a November cease-fire, and eight others were rescued, 101 remain in captivity. Israeli authorities believe 35 of those still held are dead.
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