Live updates: Israel at war with Hamas after unprecedented attacks
9:31 p.m. ET, October 8, 2023
Videos show civilian hostages killed in Hamas custody near Gaza border
At least four civilians were killed while in the custody of Hamas, just feet from where armed militants had been escorting them near the Gaza border, videos obtained and geolocated by CNN show.
One video from the kibbutz of Be’eri in southern Israel shows armed fighters, burned cars and a bulldozer in the background. Toward the end of the video, which was released on a Hamas-affiliated Telegram channel, four bodies can be seen on the ground.
Another video previously geolocated by CNN showed five Israeli civilians taken captive by armed militants in nearly the same spot. A CNN analysis of the videos determined that the bodies, and the individuals being escorted, had matching clothes and hairstyles.
It is not clear what happened to the fifth hostage.
Gaza hostages: Hamas fighters are holding more than 100 Israeli hostages in Gaza, including high-ranking army officers, a spokesperson for the militant group claimed Sunday.
Another Palestinian armed group, Islamic Jihad, on Sunday said it is holding at least 30 hostages in Gaza.
CNN is unable to verify the claims of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Israel authorities have said that dozens of Israelis are being held hostage in Gaza but have not confirmed exact numbers. In addition to Israeli captives, there are several other nationalities believed to be taken hostage.
