Hamas has released a disturbing propaganda video showing six hostages who were recently found dead in a Gaza tunnel. The video, shared on Hamas’ Telegram account, features the hostages identifying themselves in a grim black-and-white setting, looking frail and distressed. Among them was Israeli-American Omer Goldberg-Polin, who had been gravely injured in a grenade attack during the Re’im music festival massacre on October 7.
The video, captioned “We Will Show Their Last Messages,” emerged just days after the hostages were discovered deceased during an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operation in the tunnels beneath Rafah, Gaza. The IDF suspects that the hostages were killed shortly before Israeli troops reached them. “According to our initial assessment, they were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists shortly before we reached them,” stated Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson.
Hostages Shot in the Head
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the six hostages had been shot in the back of the head. Expressing his deep sorrow, Netanyahu condemned the brutality, stating, “He who murders abductees – does not want a deal.” He highlighted the nation’s grief, adding, “We are in a difficult day. The heart of the entire nation was torn.”
The news of the hostages’ deaths has led to widespread grief and anger in Israel, with large-scale protests erupting over the government’s failure to secure a deal for their release. Hamas’s armed wing issued a chilling warning, stating that further hostages would be returned to Israel “inside coffins” if military pressure continued.
Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, stated, “New instructions were issued to the mujahideen assigned to guard the prisoners regarding dealing with them if the occupation army approached their place of detention.” His statement further escalated the already tense situation, as Israel continues its operations in Gaza.
This grim development underscores the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hamas, as both sides brace for further escalation. The international community continues to watch closely, with fears that the situation could spiral further out of control.