The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters released additional footage on Thursday evening, received from the IDF, showing the six hostages who were murdered in August 2024 in a Rafah tunnel - Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lubanov, Almog Sarusi, and Carmel Gat - as they tried to maintain daily routines and preserve hope while in captivity.
In the videos, filmed at different times during their stay in the tunnel, the hostages are seen playing chess and cards, cutting each other’s hair, eating, hugging, and encouraging one another.
In one clip, Alex Lubanov counts the hostages and jokes, “You could enlist today,” while sporting a short haircut.
At another moment, Hersh says, “I won at Rummy,” prompting laughter from Eden and Carmel, before adding, “Let all of Israel know that I am alive, healthy, and everything is fine.”
Ahead of the 2024 New Year, the hostages recorded a group greeting: they counted down together and ended with the call, “Happy New Year.”
Eden Yerushalmi turns to the camera and says, “Happy New Year to all the families. We are waiting to come home. Happy birthday to my little sister, May - may you be happy and healthy. With God’s help, soon, this year, as they say.”
In another recording, Hersh - whose hand was amputated on October 7 - says, “We are healthy, alive, they are taking care of us, we are okay. We want to come home. Happy New Year.”
Almog Sarusi adds, “Happy New Year to everyone at home. We will come back to you healthy and whole. Don’t worry. We are here, and we are here to return.”
During Hanukkah, Eden is heard asking, “Where are the sufganiyot (doughnuts)?” The hostages laugh and reply, “We should have asked for a dreidel too.” Hersh adds, “We’re waiting for Roladin back in Israel.” During the candle lighting, the hostages wished for “miracles” and added, “We will continue to believe.”
In another poignant moment, Ori Danino says, “We are in a place where we cannot truly light Hanukkah candles, because of bandits, wild beasts, and enemies. What we are doing now is a mitzvah. We are trying to fulfill the commandment - but we cannot.”
In another video, Carmel Gat turns to a terrorist regarding Almog Sarusi’s medical distress, saying, “It’s been too long like this, it’s not good. He needs treatment.” She adds, “I’m not a doctor,” clarifying that he must be properly cared for.
In further footage, the six hostages are seen walking inside the tunnel where they were ultimately murdered. One of the hostages is heard saying, “Finally, fresh air.”