GAZA — Newly released drone footage has exposed Hamas operatives burying the bodies of Israeli hostages while later staging a false “discovery” in front of Red Cross representatives, in what Israeli officials are calling a deliberate act of deception.

The uncensored footage, filmed Monday, shows Hamas terrorists removing remains from a structure that had been prepared in advance before burying them nearby. Shortly afterward, Hamas summoned representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to the site and staged a fabricated recovery operation, pretending to have just discovered the bodies.

According to Israeli defense officials, the footage debunks Hamas’ repeated claims of “difficulties locating” the deceased hostages’ remains. Instead, it reveals a calculated attempt to manipulate humanitarian organizations and public opinion by simulating search efforts while knowingly concealing the victims’ bodies.

“The evidence clearly shows Hamas has been holding the remains of Israeli hostages and intentionally hiding them,” one Israeli source said. “Their so-called searches are nothing more than theater — a cruel performance meant to distort reality and stall humanitarian progress.”

The IDF statement accompanying the video further clarified that Hamas’ excuses about lacking “engineering equipment” are baseless. Officials stressed that such tools are unnecessary for the transfer of remains and that the terror group’s claims are designed to delay compliance with the hostage-return agreements.

This latest revelation adds to mounting proof of Hamas’ ongoing violations of ceasefire terms and international humanitarian standards. Israeli leaders have repeatedly accused the group of exploiting international agencies to conceal its crimes and obstruct the return of hostages — both living and deceased.

The footage has reignited global outrage, with Israeli officials urging the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations to demand accountability from Hamas for its systematic deception and continued abuse of humanitarian norms.