In a 65-foot-deep tunnel in Rafah, hostages found executed by captors

September 2, 2024 — YnetNews.com reports: “Israeli forces discovered the bodies of six hostages in a 65-foot-deep tunnel in Rafah, approximately a kilometer from where hostage Farhan Alkadi was recently freed. The IDF had no precise intelligence on the hostages’ location in recent months but knew there were captives in the sector, leading to a gradual and cautious operation in Rafah since the ground offensive began.

There was no direct confrontation with the Hamas terrorists who killed the hostages, as they had fled the scene. It is possible they were killed in the ongoing above-ground fighting in thectore s. Once the bodies were found, they were brought to the Israeli border, where police and military rabbinical teams confirmed their identities at 4 a.m.

The six hostages—Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Almog Sarusi, Eden Yerushalmi and Carmel Gat—were transferred from northern Gaza to Rafah, where they were murdered.

IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also announced on Sunday that troops ‘have located and recovered the bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Sgt. 1st Class Ori Danino. They were kidnapped on October 7 and murdered by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. After an identification process conducted by the National Center of Forensic Medicine, the Israel Police, and the Military Rabbinate, the Hostage Recovery Team in the IDF’s Personnel Directorate notified the families. The IDF and security forces are doing everything possible to bring all hostages home as quickly as possible. Words cannot describe the suffering endured by these hostages since October 7. This news shakes us all.’…”  (Islamic murderers will be tormented in the flames of Hell fire forever – …the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death – Revelation 21:8; and For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie – Revelation 22:15. Jesus described what it meant to be lost because of a life of sin: …it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abrahams bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame Luke 16:22 – 24.   See the next four reports.)

Autopsy finds 6 hostages were shot multiple times at close range in last 48-72 hours

September 2, 2024 — The Times of Israel reports: “The six dead hostages recovered from the Gaza Strip over the weekend were killed 48 to 72 hours before their autopsy, meaning between Thursday and Friday morning, the Health Ministry said Sunday.

The ministry added that an examination carried out by Abu Kabir Forensic Institute found that all six hostages were shot multiple times from close range, indicating they were executed.

The IDF had said that Hamas terrorists murdered the hostages relatively shortly before troops located their bodies on Saturday afternoon in a tunnel in Rafah…”

Initial findings: Hamas identified IDF forces approaching – and murdered the six hostages

September 4, 2024 — Israel National News reports: “An initial investigation of the deaths of six hostages in Gaza showed that Hamas lookouts standing outside a Rafah tunnel identified the Israeli forces nearing the site where the hostages were held captive, and ordered the captors to murder the six and run.

All six hostages were found with bullet holes on their heads and other places on their bodies.

According to Kan News, after the hostages’ bodies were located, the IDF found indications at the scene that Hamas had observed the IDF forces in real time.

Although the IDF is careful not to approach areas where intelligence has indicated that live hostages are being held, in this case, the IDF was apparently unaware of the fact that live hostages were being held in the area.

The six hostages were found twenty meters underground, with no prior intelligence on the matter. Their bodies were recovered from a site about one kilometer from the tunnel where hostage Farhan al-Qadi was rescued alive last week…”

Netanyahu: ‘Those who murder hostages are not interested in a deal’

September 2, 2024 — YnetNews.com reports: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation Sunday morning following the announcement by the IDF of the recovery of the bodies of six hostages—Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Eden Yerushalmi, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Carmel Gat.

‘This is a difficult day. The heart of the entire nation is torn. Along with all the citizens of Israel, I was deeply shocked by the cold-blooded murder of our six hostages. My wife and I, together with the entire nation, mourn with the families. We grieve with them,’ Netanyahu said in a pre-recorded statement.

‘I want to express my deep appreciation to our forces, to the brave soldiers of the IDF and the Shin Bet fighters, who risk their lives to bring our sons and daughters home. To the Hamas terrorists who murdered our hostages and to their leaders, I say: Your blood is on your heads. We will not rest or be silent. We will hunt you down, we will find you, and we will hold you accountable.

‘Citizens of Israel, we are fighting on all fronts against a brutal enemy that seeks to kill us all. Just this morning, they murdered three police officers in Hebron. My wife and I send our deepest condolences to their families. We witnessed the unimaginable cruelty of Hamas killers on October 7, and we saw it again in the tunnels beneath Rafah. The fact that Hamas continues to commit atrocities like those of October 7 compels us to do everything to ensure they can never commit such horrors again.’

Netanyahu emphasized the ongoing efforts to secure the release of remaining hostages. ‘Our efforts to free our hostages continue at all times. Since December, Hamas has refused to engage in genuine negotiations. On May 27, Israel agreed to a hostage release deal with full U.S. backing. Hamas refused. Even after the U.S. revised the deal on August 16, we agreed, and Hamas refused again…”

Global Imams Council condemns Hamas for execution of hostages

September 4, 2024 — The Jerusalem Post reports: “The Global Imams Council has released a statement condemning the murder of hostages at the hands of Hamas terrorists.

The statement, which was released on the Global Imams Council’s X (previously Twitter) social media account on Sunday, September 1, 2024, referred to the actions of Hamas as ‘barbaric,’ stating, ‘We are deeply saddened and outraged by these heinous murders, which violate all principles of humanity, religious teachings, and international law.’

The Global Imams Council acknowledged that the targeting of civilians not only violates the laws of Islam, but the Geneva Conventions as well.

The statement, issued at the Islamic Seminary of Najaf in Iraq, held Hamas alone responsible for ‘the deaths and suffering of all innocent lives lost since October 7, as their actions have not only brought death and destruction upon the region but have also led to immense suffering for the Palestinian people.’…”