IDF shows children's drawings, littered cells for hostages in tunnels as Hamas says 25,000+ dead

The Israel Defense Forces published pictures of children's drawings, littered prison cells and more after raiding tunnels where it says Hamas once held hostages, as the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said Sunday that more than 25,000 people have been killed in the war since Oct. 7, 2023. 

The IDF said Saturday that the tunnel, which was about 2,700 feet long and about 65 feet underground, was in the "heart of a civilian area in Khan Yunis" in the Gaza Strip. Israel said it destroyed the tunnel at the end of the investigation.

About 20 hostages had been held in the tunnel at different times, according to testimonies, and the abductees had been moved before the IDF reached the tunnel.

IDF Spokesman R.-Adm. Daniel Hagari said troops discovered drawings from former hostage Emilia Aloni, who was kidnapped at the age of 5 on Oct. 7 and released in November during a temporary ceasefire deal.

"Some of them were released about 50 days ago, and some of them are still being held in Gaza and possibly in even more difficult conditions, among them very old people who need medicine and help," Hagari said, according to The Jerusalem Post. 

Before destroying the tunnel, Israel said it brought international journalists in to view the tunnel, which was filled with booby traps and had multiple caged cells. Pictures show trash littering the tunnel as well as clothing, fans, sleeping bags, mattresses and more.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Ministry of Health, which is run by the U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization Hamas and does not distinguish between civilian and combatant fatalities, says more than 25,000 people have died and over 62,600 others have been injured since Oct. 7, when terrorists invaded Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping 240 others.

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on X or Instagram.