Hamas' Horrific Hostage Conditions Revealed

The heartbreaking details of six Israeli hostages — Hirsch Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi, Carmel Gat, and Alex Lubanov — who were murdered by Hamas terrorists in a tunnel near Rafah, have been released by the IDF. The hostages, who were held for 330 days, endured unimaginable suffering before their execution.

According to the IDF's initial investigation, the six were confined to a narrow tunnel, making it impossible for them to stand upright or even breathe properly. They were given minimal food and water, leading to severe malnutrition. The families learned that one hostage, Eden Yerushalmi, weighed just 36 kilograms at the time of her death.

In addition to the unbearable physical conditions, the hostages were subjected to psychological torture, with only two of them able to lie down at the same time. The tunnel, lacking proper ventilation, became a claustrophobic prison. Basic necessities like showers and toilets were nonexistent; the hostages were forced to use the same bottles for drinking water and makeshift showers.

The IDF discovered the hostages' bodies scattered throughout the tunnel after Hamas, fearing an imminent IDF rescue, executed them with gunshots to the head. Signs of previous injuries were also found on their bodies, and it was clear they had been systematically neglected throughout their captivity.

The tunnel where the hostages were held was equipped with minimal supplies, including protein bars, a small generator, and a chessboard. Despite the dire conditions, the six hostages managed to survive for nearly a year before their tragic end.

Israeli forces found the bodies in a tunnel near Rafah, not far from where another hostage, Farhan Kadi, was rescued. The operation to locate the hostages was slow and methodical due to the complexity of the situation, and no prior intelligence had confirmed their exact location in the months leading up to the discovery.

As Israel mourns the loss of these six brave individuals, their tragic story serves as a stark reminder of Hamas' brutality and the devastating toll of terrorism.