In a tragic turn of events, 25-year-old engineering student Sahar Baruch was killed while in Hamas captivity in Gaza. The shocking incident, which took place on October 7, was confirmed by a joint statement from his community, Kibbutz Be'eri, and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

Baruch's brother, Idan, also fell victim to Hamas during the October 7 massacre. Sahar, initially considered missing, was discovered to be held captive by Hamas, devastating his family.

Recently, Hamas terrorists released a propaganda video showcasing Sahar Baruch's body, asserting that he had been killed during an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation to free hostages. However, the IDF has categorically denied these claims, stating that Baruch was murdered by Hamas terrorists.

While the IDF spokesperson did not explicitly mention or confirm Baruch's death, they did acknowledge that two soldiers were gravely injured during the operation in question.

According to Israeli media reports, the IDF's search and rescue efforts to locate both surviving and deceased abductees necessitate a combined undertaking of operational endeavors and intelligence gathering. Multiple security organizations are collaborating to collect vital information about the captives.

To provide support and timely updates to the families of the abductees, IDF representatives maintain regular communication and share verified information regarding their loved ones. They emphasized the importance of avoiding the spread of unverified rumors, cautioning against succumbing to the psychological terror tactics employed by Hamas.

Sahar Baruch, an aspiring electrical engineering student at Ben-Gurion University, had a bright future ahead of him, as described by his family to Israeli media. Recounting the tragic events of that fateful day, his aunt revealed that Sahar and his brother were present at their mother's house when the alarms and explosions disrupted their morning routine. They sought refuge in a reinforced safe room, managing to close the door with a closet due to an obstruction. Tragically, grenades were thrown into the safe room, critically injuring Idan and necessitating Sahar's prolonged attempts at first aid.

With the house engulfed in flames and the situation becoming increasingly dire, Sahar made the brave decision to jump from the building after Idan. However, fate dealt another cruel blow as Idan was shot and killed upon landing. Sahar stayed behind briefly to retrieve Idan's inhaler, given his asthma, before eventually evacuating. For over two weeks, the fate of Sahar remained unknown until reports emerged that he was not within Israeli territory.

The loss of Sahar Baruch has left his family, friends, and community devastated, robbing him of the promising future he had been eagerly anticipating. As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding his captivity and tragic demise, the painful reality of the toll exacted by Hamas's actions resonates deeply within the nation.