The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has unveiled a chilling discovery in Gaza: a tunnel where Hamas allegedly held and executed six Israeli hostages. This revelation, made approximately 11 months after the initial hostage-taking, provides a grim insight into the captives' ordeal.
The tunnel entrance, concealed beneath a child's bedroom floor in Rafah, southern Gaza, led to a narrow passageway extending 120 meters. Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesman, described the tunnel as 1.7 meters high and one meter wide, with no rooms, just a single corridor.
The tunnel's contents paint a disturbing picture of the hostages' living conditions. Bottles of urine, makeshift toilets, and basic survival items were found alongside weapons and religious texts. A pool of blood on the floor marked the alleged execution site.
"Why murder them in a tunnel after they survived 11 months?"
The IDF believes the six hostages - Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino - were killed on August 29, 2024, just 12 days before this report. Their bodies were discovered the following day.
This tunnel is part of an extensive network, known as the "Metro," which is estimated to span over 500 kilometers beneath Gaza. These underground passages, some large enough for vehicles, have been used for various purposes since the 1980s, including smuggling and militant activities.
The hostages' families, through the Hostages Families Forum, expressed anguish over the "cruelty of their last moments" and urged immediate action to secure the release of the remaining captives. Avigdor Lieberman, former defense minister, called for a halt to humanitarian aid to Gaza in response.
This discovery highlights the ongoing crisis, with 101 hostages still believed to be held in similar conditions. As international pressure mounts, the need for a resolution becomes increasingly urgent to prevent further loss of life.