In a grim revelation Wednesday, Israeli military officials confirmed that Hamas terrorists executed six hostages in a Khan Younis tunnel following an airstrike, ending months of uncertainty about their fate.
The victims - Avraham Munder, Nadav Popplewell, Yagev Buchshtav, Yoram Metzger, Haim Peri, and Alex Dancyg - had been moved through Hamas's underground network before their deaths. They were shot at point-blank range by their captors, according to autopsy findings presented to their families.
"We tracked them until December," said Major General Nitzan Alon, who headed the investigation. "Then Hamas moved them to a different tunnel - one that wasn't built for holding people."
The investigation pieced together their final months: They were initially held in an underground Hamas complex nicknamed "The Kingdom," before being moved to a harsh transit tunnel in the Hamad neighborhood. The transfer occurred between late December and early January, placing them four kilometers from their original location.
The breakthrough came after an August 20 operation recovered their bodies. Autopsies revealed gunshot wounds on all six hostages. In a twisted turn, their captors were also found dead nearby - killed by toxic gases from the February 14 airstrike that triggered the executions.
They were killed on February 14 after an Israeli airstrike hit nearby, and their bodies recovered in August during a special forces operation. They have since been laid to rest in Israel.
"We had no intelligence about hostages in that location," an IDF spokesperson said, addressing questions about the airstrike. The military maintains strict protocols against operations in areas where living hostages are suspected.
The investigation confirmed the airstrike followed all required protocols, with no intelligence suggesting hostages were in the area. Officials believe Hamas moved the hostages either above or underground due to the IDF's initial ground operation in Khan Yunis.
A senior security official said, "We don't always know where every hostage is, but we make daily efforts to minimize risks. Sadly, there have been several cases during this war where our lack of intelligence led directly or indirectly to hostages' deaths."
While investigators are nearly certain the executions happened immediately after the airstrike, they acknowledge a slim possibility that other Hamas members arriving later could have carried out the killings.
In his statement about the executions and the preceding airtstrike, Lt. Gen. Halevi acknowledged the devastating impact on the families: "Throughout this long war, which began on that terrible day, bringing home the hostages alive has been our constant priority. While we've had successes, they feel hollow while others remain in captivity. Although our military campaign helps advance the goal of returning hostages, we have made mistakes. We cannot bring these six people back, but their families and the public should know that thousands of our soldiers and commanders are working tirelessly to prevent such errors in this crucial mission. These mistakes happened due to lack of information, and we are committed to learning from them."
The IDF expressed its deep condolences to the families and reaffirmed its commitment to securing the release of all remaining hostages, describing it as "our highest national priority."
The investigation delivers a heartbreaking update in Israel's ongoing hostage crisis. Military officials now estimate that half of those still in Hamas custody may no longer be alive.
This development comes as Israeli forces continue their operations in Gaza, where the fate of remaining hostages hangs in the balance since the October 7 attacks.
