Hamas source claims hostages were sometimes held ‘meters away’ from IDF
Hamas terrorists stand at a site as Hamas says it continues to search for the body of the last deceased hostage, in Gaza City, December 8, 2025. (Photo credit: REUTERS/DAWOUD ABU ALKAS)
On several occasions, IDF soldiers were directly above the tunnels where the terrorists were hiding hostages and had to be misled or distracted so that the terrorists could transfer the hostages elsewhere.
Hostages in Gaza were sometimes kept just a few meters from IDF soldiers, a Hamas source told Saudi media. Asharq Al-Awsat SATURDAY.
On several occasions, IDF troops were directly above the tunnels where Hamas terrorists had hidden the hostages and had to be misled or distracted so that the terrorists could transfer the captives elsewhere.
According to AsharqAl-Awsat, the source claimed that Hamas was under strict orders to preserve the hostages, alive and dead, so that they could be used as bargaining chips with Israel.
An Israeli soldier stands inside a tunnel under the European Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, June 8, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
Living hostages are continually moved to prevent their discovery
As the source pointed out, living hostages were continually moved between hideouts, tunnels and above-ground apartments, in order to avoid being found.
The bodies of deceased captives were either buried inside tunnels, near cemeteries, or in areas managed by factions capable of preserving them.
