During a cabinet discussion held last night, the IDF clarified that the execution of the hostages was linked to the terrorists' fear of the approaching IDF forces.
The pathological examination confirmed that the hostages were murdered on Thursday, before the cabinet's decision regarding the Philadelphi Route, which was made early Friday morning, as reported by Israel Hayom.
The bodies were found in a tunnel approximately 20 meters deep, about a kilometer from the location where hostage Farhan was discovered. According to the IDF, "There was no confrontation at the site; the terrorists likely fled before we arrived."
The IDF emphasized that the ongoing operation in Rafah, which has been gradual and slow, was intentionally paced to allow Hamas to move the hostages. "We did not have exact intelligence on their location but had estimates regarding their presence in the Rafah area."
Last night, ministers watched footage of the tunnel where the six hostages were held in harsh conditions. The narrow tunnel, just 80 cm wide, revealed traces of blood and items of the hostages' clothing.