The families of six hostages whose bodies were returned to Israel in August 2024 were informed by the IDF this week that their loved ones were killed in Hamas captivity. According to military findings, the hostages – Alexander Dancyg, Yoram Metzger, Chaim Perry, Yagev Buchshtab, Nadav Popplewell, and Avraham Munder – were executed by gunfire inside a Gaza tunnel after an Israeli airstrike targeted underground infrastructure in the area. The military believes the hostages were likely killed shortly after the attack.
According to a military investigation, it is likely that the Hamas terrorists guarding the hostages killed them shortly after the Israeli airstrike. The military does not rule out the possibility that other Hamas operatives may have executed the hostages, although this remains unlikely.
The six Hamas terrorists who had been guarding the hostages were found dead in the tunnel, likely from asphyxiation caused by toxic gas released during the airstrike. At the time, there was no reason to suspect hostages were in the area, and the IDF did not consider the possibility when planning the strike.
The results of the investigation were presented to the families, who were told that even if their loved ones had not been shot, they would have likely died from inhaling toxic fumes from the attack.
The hostages had been held in an underground facility until December 2023. After an Israeli ground operation, they were moved to a tunnel in the Hamed neighborhood, about 2.5 miles away, where their last known image was taken.
On Feb. 14, 2024, the IDF conducted a targeted strike in the area without knowing that hostages were nearby. Five months later, intelligence indicated that the hostages had likely perished. In August 2024, their bodies were retrieved from the tunnel.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi acknowledged the failure and emphasized that the mission to bring the hostages home continues. "We are doing everything we can to bring them back. Every mistake we make is a result of a lack of information, and we must learn from them."
Noam Perry, daughter of Chaim Perry, said, "The public must understand that military operations endanger hostages. We need to secure a deal now – there is no other way."
