TIMES OF ISRAEL
Harrowing footage shows 6 hostages lighting Hanukkah candles 8 months before execution
Jessica Steinberg
December 12, 2025

Harrowing footage of the six Israeli hostages murdered by Hamas terrorists in August 2024 was released Thursday night by their families after being aired on Israeli television, providing a uniquely extensive glimpse into what the hostages went through during their first months in Hamas captivity. The videos included footage of the captives marking Hanukkah in December 2023, with the release of the clips coming days before the Jewish holiday begins this year. While the footage was filmed by Hamas terrorists for propaganda purposes, the material is unlike other clips published during the war that showed hostages reading statements evidently dictated by their captors. In the clips, which the Israel Defense Forces recovered during military operations in the Gaza Strip, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Almog Sarusi, Ori Danino, and Alex Lobanov are seen together in a tunnel. READ MORE

ARUTZ SHEVA ‘The Beautiful Six’: Families of the six hostages reflect on Hanukkah captivity video The families of six murdered hostages share an emotional response to footage showing their loved ones lighting Hanukkah candles in captivity, emphasizing their strength, unity, and humanity. “The families of the Beautiful Six (Hersh, Carmel, Ori, Eden, Almog, and Alex) want to thank the people of Israel and the millions around the world who watched the harrowing footage of our loved ones with us. Lighting Hanukkah candles in that dark place captures the essence of the Jewish spirit: light prevailing over darkness,” the families said.

THE ETTINGER REPORT Chanukah Guide for the Perplexed, 2025 Chanukah (evening of December 14 – December 22, 2025) is the only Jewish holiday that commemorates an ancient national liberation struggle in the Land of Israel, unlike Passover, Sukkot/Tabernacles and Shavu’ot/Pentecost, which commemorate the liberation from slavery in Egypt to independence in the land of Israel, and unlike Purim, which commemorates liberation from a Persian attempt to annihilate the Jewish people of Persia. According to Israel’s Founding Father, David Ben Gurion: Chanukah commemorates “the struggle of the Maccabees, which was one of the most dramatic clashes of civilizations in human history, not merely a political-military struggle against foreign oppression. The reputation of Jews as superb warriors was reaffirmed by the success of the Maccabees on the battlefield. In fact, they were frequently hired asmercenaries by Egypt, Syria, Carthage, Rome and other global and regional powers. READ MORE

AISH All things Hanukkah

TABLET Tablet’s Ultimate Hanukkah Gift Guide From luxe halva treats to Tel Aviv streetwear, discover more than 50 unique presents for kids, friends, foodies, and more