This disturbing conversation took place after Palestinian Hamas militants launched a major attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. As a result, Israel declared war on Hamas, leading to retaliatory bombings in Gaza. The conflict has tragically claimed the lives of thousands of civilians, both Palestinians and Israelis.
In the phone recording, the terrorist is heard speaking on a phone he had taken from a Jewish woman he had killed in Mefalsim, a kibbutz near the Gaza border. He eagerly directs his parents to his WhatsApp messages, proudly exclaiming, “Look how many I killed with my own hands! Your son killed Jews!” He emphasizes his actions by repeating, “I killed 10 with my own hands! Dad, 10 with my own hands!” Shockingly, his parents seem to applaud his actions. His father responds, “Oh my son, God bless you!” while his mother expresses hope for his safe return. The terrorist defiantly states, “There is no going back. It’s either death or victory,” urging his parents to view the images of his victims.
The content of the images and the parents’ reactions to them remain unknown. However, the IDF has presented this recording to the UN Security Council. The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties. According to UN reports, over 5,000 lives have been lost in Gaza since the conflict began, with women and children making up more than 60% of the fatalities. Additionally, more than 15,000 individuals have been injured, and 212 are currently held hostage by Hamas.