Published 13:43 IST, September 11th 2024
IDF Releases Footage of Tunnel Where 6 Israeli Hostages Were Held, Executed | VIDEO
He said that the six individuals were killed on August 29 and the dead bodies were recovered by the officials two days later in Southern Gaza.
Tel Aviv: The Israel Defense Force (IDF) has released exclusive footage on its X account showing the cramped sealed tunnel where the six Israeli hostages were held and killed by Hamas.
"ššššššššš š šššššš: IDF Spokesperson, RAdm. Daniel Hagari, reveals the underground terrorist tunnel where Hersh, Eden, Carmel, Ori, Alex and Almog were held in brutal conditions and murdered by Hamas," the post read.
He said that the six individuals were killed on August 29 and the dead bodies were recovered by the officials two days later in Southern Gaza. The six dead hostages were two women and four men aged between 23 and 40. Five of them were taken from the Nova dance festival attacked by the terrorists last year on Oct. 7.
As per media reports, the video was shot last week, which shows IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari giving in-depth details of the tunnel. He said that a forensic team investigated the hostage deaths. The video was made public after it was viewed by the victims' families and the Israeli security cabinet.
Hagari added that at least two gunmen shot the six hostages dead in the tunnel, which is about 20 metres (66ft) below the ground and less than 170 centimetres (5.6) feet high and some 32 inches wide.
The tunnel was used as an exit shaft by the terrorists, below a children's room in a house.
The senior official spokesperson said that the hostages were likely in the tunnel where it is hard to breathe or even stand straight for some time or even weeks.
A video with English narration showed Kalashnikov rifle magazines, bags containing plastic bottles filled with urine and a bucket in a hole that served as a toilet. A woman's clothes were also seen thrown on the ground. Meanwhile, the Hebrew version of the broadcast also showed a chess set.
The six hostages were killed when Israeli troops were in the area, fighting Hamas terrorists above the ground of the tunnel. The military however has not precisely verified intelligence about the hostages' presence in the area, Hagari said.
Efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza that would include a hostage release deal have failed with both sides blaming each other for deadlock.
Updated 13:43 IST, September 11th 2024