New footage shows 6 Israeli hostages lighting Hanukkah candles in Hamas terror tunnel months before being murdered

Over a year after they were found murdered by Hamas, the families of six Israeli hostages approved the release of new footage showing them lighting Hanukkah candles together in an underground tunnel in Gaza, months before their execution.

In September 2024, Israeli soldiers recovered the bodies of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino just days after their Hamas captors had murdered them.

The hours of new footage were recovered during military operations in Gaza, and had only been shown to their families until portions were broadcast on Channel 12 News’ “Uvda” investigative program.

“The families of the six heroes wish to thank the people of Israel and the countless people around the world who watched the chilling recordings with us. Lighting the candles specifically in such a dark place is the Jewish essence of the triumph of light over darkness,” the families said in a statement.

The footage of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Alex Lobanov was found in the Gaza Strip and documents them over months in captivity. In August 2024, they were murdered by their captors as IDF forces closed in on the area.… pic.twitter.com/XG4PLyvPci

— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) December 11, 2025

In the published clips, the captives are seen singing the popular Hanukkah song “Ma’oz Tzur” (Strong Rock of My Salvation) as they light candles made from paper cups. The footage was filmed in December 2023, shortly after they were kidnapped.

We will never forgive and we will never forget how our hostages were treated by Hamas in Gaza.

Despite the horrific torture and humiliation, our brave and courageous hostages never lost hope, and even continued to light Hanukkah candles to bring light into a world of darkness. pic.twitter.com/wv3PSnbQZk

— Danny Danon 🇮🇱 דני דנון (@dannydanon) December 11, 2025

Despite differing from other hostage videos by allowing the hostages to speak freely rather than read scripted statements, the footage still appears aimed at portraying their captivity in a positive light, with lingering shots of available food, mattresses, and pillows.

When the six captives were found by Israeli soldiers months later, their bodies showed signs of extreme hunger and deprivation. Near their bodies, soldiers found bottles filled with urine and a plastic bucket used as a toilet.

At one point in the video, Hersh Goldberg-Polin compared the hostages’ fate to that of Jews living in Nazi Germany, reminiscing over the famous historic picture showing a Hanukkiah in a window with Nazi flags visible behind it.

The families’ statement continued: “Hamas filmed the videos with the intention of spreading propaganda, but the humanity of the six heroes shines through them. It is stronger than any terror organization. The videos are living testimony to evil – and to the unbearable loss; the world must see our loved ones in these moments, their unity, strength, and humanity even in the hardest moments.”

Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Ori Danino were executed via multiple shots at close range at the end of August 2024.

Israeli soldiers found their bodies only days later, without prior intelligence, while they were searching the area after Qaid Farhan al-Qadi was rescued alive from a nearby tunnel the week before.

 “They were taken alive, they survived alive, and they should have returned alive. Nothing will bring back our beloved ones. Only exposing the truth, only accepting honest, responsible, and statesmanlike accountability, can bring justice and allow healing for all of our hearts,” the families stated.

“The families of the six heroes wish to remind that the mission is not yet complete, and call to bring home the hero Ran Gvili now.”

“They invite every family in Israel – when you gather to light Hanukkah candles, remember our loved ones, and all the families of the soldiers, the wounded, the hostages, the murdered, and the fallen who will never again light candles together, and who have already been waiting nearly 800 days for answers,” the statement read.