An Israeli hostage held in Gaza, 25-year-old Sahar Baruch, has been killed, the kibbutz where he lived announced on Saturday.
“It is with great sadness and a broken heart that we announce the murder of Sahar Baruch (25), who was kidnapped from his home by Hamas terrorists to Gaza on the Black Sabbath and murdered there,” Kibbutz Be’eri said in a statement.
Hamas alleges that Baruch was killed Friday morning during a failed Israeli rescue operation, but the IDF has not commented on that allegation.
Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, on Friday released a video of Baruch’s corpse. The video included images of the alleged aftermath of the operation, and a video statement from Baruch apparently filmed some weeks ago.
It is unclear from the video how Baruch died.
The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that two IDF soldiers were severely wounded during a failed rescue attempt but did not say anything about a hostage being killed or injured, and it is unclear whether it was the same incident.
Hamas released a statement Friday morning, before the video was released, with its allegations about Baruch’s death.
“At dawn today, the fighters of the Al-Qassam Brigades foiled a Zionist attempt to reach one of the Zionist prisoners,” Hamas said. “A special Zionist force was discovered while trying to advance to free one of the enemy prisoners and clashed with them, resulting in the killing and injury of members of the force.”
“The clash led to the killing of the captive soldier ‘Sa’ar Baruch,’” Hamas said – the group refers to all fighting-age men as “soldiers.”
The Hamas video begins with Baruch speaking to camera. CNN is not airing the video.
“I am Sa’ar Baruch, 24-years-old, from Kibbutz Be’eri,” he says. “I used to work for the Be’eri Print until October 7. Since then I’ve been held hostage for 40 days in Gaza. I want to get back home.”
His statement suggests that that portion of the video was filmed around mid-November.
Text on screen then appears, repeating Hamas’ allegations.
The video then cuts to a floor, which is covered in blood, empty bullet casings, and detritus. The camera then shows various weapons, some of which are covered in blood.
Finally, the video cuts to what is purported to be Baruch’s corpse, smeared in blood. The body appears to have severe wounds to the face and is covered in flies.
The IDF referred CNN’s inquiry about the incident to the Prime Minister’s Office. The Prime Minister’s Office told CNN it had no comment.
When asked about Hamas’ claims on Friday, Eylon Levy, an Israeli government spokesperson said: “We are not going to comment on psychological warfare that Hamas continues to wage against the people of Israel.”
At least 136 hostages are still being held in Gaza, the IDF said on December 1. IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the number includes 17 women and children.