Newly-obtained footage shows six Gaza hostages lighting Hanukkah candles in Hamas tunnel
The footage, obtained by the IDF, shows the six hostages, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusi, who were murdered by Hamas in 2024.
IDF footage of six Israeli hostages lighting Hanukkah candles in captivity months before they were murdered by Hamas was spread across Israeli media on Thursday.
The footage, obtained by the IDF, shows the six hostages, coined the “Beautiful Six,” who were murdered by Hamas in Rafah and found by the IDF in August 2024 – Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusi.
Danino is seen lighting small candles balanced on cups while the group sings Shehecheyanu, the blessing said on reaching a special moment. After lighting the first night’s candles, the group sang several traditional songs.
“Lighting Hanukkah candles in that dark place captures the essence of the Jewish spirit: light prevailing over darkness,” the families of the six said in a statement published by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
“Hamas filmed these videos as propaganda, but the humanity of the beautiful six shines through this footage. It is stronger than any terrorist organization,” the statement continued. “These videos bear witness to evil and failure.”
“They were taken alive, they survived in captivity, and they should have come home alive.”
Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Alexander Lobanov, and Almog Sarusi playing cards while in Hamas captivity. (credit: Courtesy)
Nearly 20 other videos, photos of ‘Beautiful Six’ released
Alongside the video of the Hanukkah candle lighting, the forum released nearly 20 other videos and photographs of the six.
The additional footage shows the six playing cards, counting down to the new year, and giving each other haircuts, walking through the Rafah tunnels, as well as Gat telling a Hamas terrorist that Sarusi needed “professional” medical treatment.
“We’re calling on every family in Israel,” the statement went on, “When you gather to light Hanukkah candles, remember our loved ones and all the families of soldiers, the wounded, the hostages, the murdered, and the fallen who will never light candles together again, families who have been waiting nearly 800 days for answers.”
