Israeli media have aired a deeply emotional video showing six Israeli captives lighting Hanukkah candles inside a Hamas tunnel in Gaza, around eight months before they were killed during the war in the besieged enclave. The footage has sparked intense reactions in Israel, reopening painful memories for families and the wider public.
The video, released online on Thursday night after being broadcast on Israeli television, shows Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino and Alex Lobanov during their captivity.
Footage recovered during military operations
According to the Israeli military, the video was filmed by Hamas for propaganda purposes but was never released publicly at the time. It was later recovered by Israeli forces during operations in Gaza and had previously been shown only to the families of the captives.
Unlike other captivity videos, which often feature forced statements, this footage shows the captives lighting candles, singing Hanukkah songs, eating together, and playing cards and backgammon. The scenes were filmed in December 2023, about 80 days into their captivity.
Killed months later in Rafah
Israeli authorities say the six captives were shot at close range by their captors in the Tal as-Sultan area of Rafah on August 29, 2024. Their bodies were discovered by the Israeli military two days later and returned to Israel.
Israeli media reported that their remains were found around 1 km from the location where another captive, Farhan al-Qadi, had been rescued just days earlier.
Families speak of humanity and resilience
In a joint statement, the families said the footage reflected their loved ones’ humanity, unity and inner strength, even in captivity.
“Lighting the candles in this dark place symbolises the Jewish belief in light overcoming darkness,” the statement said, adding that while the video was intended as propaganda, “the humanity of the six shines through.”
One captive, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was seen missing part of his left arm, which Israeli media said was lost during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack.
Captives central to ceasefire deal
The return of captives, living and deceased, was a key element of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. As part of the deal, Hamas released the remaining living Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
So far, 27 of the 28 bodies of Israeli captives have been returned, along with hundreds of Palestinian bodies. One Israeli captive’s remains are still believed to be buried under rubble, with Hamas saying heavy excavation equipment is required for recovery.