Footage Reveals Hostages Lit Chanukkah Candles in Gaza Tunnel Before Being Murdered

Newly released video shows six Israeli hostages lighting Chanukkah candles shortly before they were murdered in captivity, with Hersh Goldberg-Polin Hy’d drawing a parallel between their situation and that of Jews under Nazi rule.

“There’s that picture of the Chanukkiah with a [Nazi flag] above it,” Goldberg-Polin says in one of the clips broadcast on Channel 12’s “Uvda.”

At another point, one of the hostages quips, “Where are the sufganiyot?” [doughnuts]

Hersh replies, “We’re waiting for Roladin in Israel,” referencing the bakery famous for its elaborate Chanukkah donuts.

Additional footage shows the group marking New Year’s Eve 2024 and occasionally receiving fruit, part of what their captors attempted to portray as a different reality than the one they endured.

The six hostages; Hersh Goldberg-Polin Hy’d, 23, Eden Yerushalmi Hy’d, 24, Ori Danino Hy’d, 25, Alex Lobanov Hy’d, 32, Carmel Gat Hy’d, 40, and Almog Sarusi Hy’d, 27, were murdered by their Hamas captors inside a tunnel in Rafah’s Tel Sultan neighborhood on August 29, 2024, and were found by IDF troops two days later.

The videos capture each of them appearing gaunt but alive, with some managing to smile. Goldberg-Polin is seen missing the lower half of his left arm, lost in the October 7 grenade attack.

Family members of all six hostages speak in the “Uvda” episode, describing the emotional weight of seeing their loved ones on camera.

“It’s very confusing, it feels like he’s right there,” says Rachel Goldberg. “And it was hours of footage.”

Almog Sarusi’s father remarks on how his son is smiling throughout the recordings.

During the war, whenever the IDF uncovered evidence of hostages in Gaza, including video material, it was shown to families, who often later released it publicly.

The footage shows the six seated together after lighting candles using makeshift paper-cup holders, playing cards while resting on thin mattresses.

The Chanukkah scenes appear to have been recorded around 80 days into their captivity.

“What heroes,” says Goldberg-Polin. “Six young luminous people who did everything right and they stayed alive and they did their part, and for us to claim we brought them back, in bags, bags of children to their parents, please don’t count Hersh among the people you saved.”