Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) found three hostages held by Hamas dead today — a little over seven months after the terror group kidnapped them from an Israeli music festival in October.
The bodies of Shani Louk, 23, Amit Buskila, 28, and Itzik Gelenter, 57, were found in a tunnel in Southern Gaza today, according to Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.
All three had fled Hamas militants when they descended upon the Nova festival on Oct. 7th, 2023. Louk has been presumed dead since forensic examiners found piece of her skull in October. Video of the attack captured footage of her body loaded on the back of a Hamas truck.
Of the 250 hostages taken that day, the IDF estimates some 130 remain in Hamas’ custody. Only 100 are believed to be alive.
After months of silence regarding the hostages, the discovery of Louk, Buskila and Gelenter is a grim reminder of the atrocities Hamas committed — and continues to commit — against innocent victims.
Perhaps it’s a reminder we need.
For the past month, college campuses across the country have been rocked by “pro-Palestine” encampments — groups of students camping out on Ivy League lawns demanding their institutions stop supporting Israel’s “genocide” of Palestinians.
Ironic, given that one of protesters’ favorite chants — “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” — calls for the genocide of Israelis.
The protests have led to millions of dollars in property damage, hundreds of arrests and, most astonishingly, a wave of virulent antisemitism the likes of which haven’t been tolerated since the last time a nation tried to exterminate the Jews.
Have we so quickly relegated the atrocities committed by Hamas to the past — with 100 people still suffering them today?
Speaking of atrocities …
Hamas used sexual violence as a weapon of war on October 7th, the brutality of which is being established more each day.
Israeli authorities documented and published evidence of gang rape, genital mutilation and necrophilia — finding the bodies of murdered women with shattered pelvises, gun shot wounds through their breasts, and foreign objects in their genitals.
As recently as late March, an Israeli woman released from Hamas’ captivity recalled being subjected sexual assault and torture.
I have difficulty reading these reports, which list traumas communicated in death by women who suffered indescribable torture in life.
I will never be able to rationalize images of young, college-educated women attending protests where students shout, “We are Hamas,” with glee.
Please continue praying for the people held by Hamas — no matter how trivialized their living nightmare might become. In cases of such evil and brokenness, only hope in the intervention of our perfect, loving God will suffice.
Additional Articles and Resources
Some Pro-Hamas Protesters and an Ill-Behaved Child Walk into a Chili’s
College Faculty Voice Support for Antisemitic Protests
A Stunning Contrast of Two University Lawns
Jewish Students urged to Flee Columbia Following Antisemitic Protest
Campus Protests Expose Antisemitic Rot in Academia
Iran’s Failed Attack on Israel — What happened and Why It’s Important
Antisemitism — What It Is and Its Connection to the Israel-Hamas War
Women’s Rights Group Silent on Hamas Sexual Violence, Analysis Shows
