Hamas tortures Itzik Elgarat to death after mistaken identity

In Israel, on October 7, 2023, Itzik Elgarat was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz by Hamas terrorists during an attack which injured him. His brother, Danny Elgarat, received a phone call from Itzik during the assault in which he expressed dire fears for his life. Following the attack, intelligence sources indicated that Itzik had been taken into custody and was held in Gaza alongside other hostages. After failed attempts to locate him, it was revealed that Itzik had died during interrogation when Hamas suspected him of being a pilot due to an eagle-shaped tattoo on his arm. Intelligence officers informed Itzik's family that he had suffered a heart attack during the brutal interrogation, but it later emerged that he was murdered while in captivity. His body was returned to Israel as part of a ceasefire agreement in February, amid ongoing tensions and struggles surrounding hostage recoveries. At his funeral, Danny condemned Israeli leadership, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of indirectly funding Hamas and failing to protect the country's citizens. This tragic incident reflects the larger context of turbulent relations between Israel and Hamas, notably the ongoing hostilities resulting in loss of lives and severe emotional distress for hostage families in Israel and abroad. The plight of hostages like Itay, another hostage still held by Hamas, continues to be highlighted amidst calls for political action to secure their release, emphasizing the urgent need for resolutions to this humanitarian crisis.