The Israeli military departs a video showcasing an underground passage utilized for capturing hostages.
The Israeli military has released footage of a hidden tunnel in the Gaza Strip, where six Israeli citizens were kept prisoner and subsequently killed by Hamas terrorists in early September. The entrance to this subterranean pathway is situated 20 meters down, reached via ladders from a children's room, as explained by army spokesperson Daniel Hagari in the video.
The bombed-out room Hagari is standing in still bears remnants of colorful cartoon drawings on the walls. The narrow, low-ceilinged tunnel stretches about 120 meters before reaching an metal door. "This is where they were held and executed," states Hagari in the roughly 3.5-minute clip, referring to the lifeless bodies that were discovered in early September.
A variety of secured items, including weapon magazines, batteries, and Hamas Quran books, are displayed in the video, alongside a chess set and some clothing articles. Hagari points out stains on the tunnel floor, stating, "This is their blood." He then mentions the names of the victims: 23-year-old Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 24-year-old Eden Yerushalmi, 25-year-old Ori Danino, 32-year-old Alex Lobanov, and 27-year-old Almog Sarusi.
"They endured in here, suffocating, unable to stand upright for weeks or months," explains Hagari. At the time of the video's release, there were still 101 people being held captive by Hamas in similar tunnels, some of them reported to be alive. "We must give everything we can to bring them back safe and sound," Hagari declares.
The revelation of this hostage situation has led to widespread protests in Israel, demanding negotiations with Hamas for the release of the captives. In October 7, 20XX, Hamas and other Islamic extremist groups launched a deadly attack on southern Israel, resulting in more than 1200 deaths and the kidnapping of about 250 individuals, who were ultimately transported to the Gaza Strip. This unprecedented atrocity ignited the Gaza War. Presently, Israeli intelligence estimates that 101 individuals remain captive by Hamas, with the fate of the survivors uncertain.
The footage released by the Israeli military shows the entrance to the tunnel located in a children's room, which is marked by the remnants of colorful cartoon drawings on the walls. The tunnel, about 120 meters long, houses various secured items and stains believed to be the victims' blood, as mentioned by Hagari.
