The Purpose Behind Israel's Release of Shocking Images from the Hamas Attack

The story starts on an early Saturday morning, October 7th, with Hamas militants crowded into white pickup trucks. The sun is just beginning to rise, and they have AK-47s draped across their chests. In a particular scene, their faces are filled with grins as they record themselves zooming down the road. Their destination: to brutally attack unsuspecting people who are still in deep slumber.

Checkpoints are established and cars are shot at upon approaching, followed by the extraction of deceased individuals to facilitate vehicle theft. The incredibly distressing scenes unfold over a duration of more than 40 minutes on the tape.

CNN, along with a limited number of journalists, was shown a disturbing video on Friday depicting the brutal attack carried out by Hamas on October 7. The Israel Defense Forces have been showing this raw footage, comprised of dash cam videos, body cameras, surveillance systems, CCTV, and the phones of deceased Hamas fighters, to world leaders and U.S. lawmakers. It should be noted that CNN cannot independently verify all the contents of the video. On Friday, the video was shown outside of Israel for the first time, although a CNN reporter had previously viewed a version shown to reporters in Israel. Israeli officials have chosen not to publicly release the video out of respect for the victims.

Israel has released and circulated the footage as a response to increasing international criticism of its military operation and blockade in Gaza, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis. The objective of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) seems to be to emphasize the extent of the massacre and to remind the world of the atrocities committed by Hamas. Additionally, Israel aims to garner support for its ongoing ground campaign in Gaza, which its officials have cautioned will be a lengthy and challenging endeavor.

As journalists observed the powerful images in a quiet room, the United Nations General Assembly, located just a block away, passed a nonbinding resolution urging a "humanitarian truce." However, Israel continued to deploy more troops into Gaza and intensify its aerial bombardment hours later.

Content in another scene shows two Hamas militants entering a kibbutz. One of them deliberately shoots the tires of an ambulance, preventing any potential survivors from being safely transported later on. The militants proceed to carry out an ambush on the residences, targeting individuals who are still in their beds or sitting on their back porches. Shockingly, their violence extends to shooting innocent dogs found within the kibbutz. In cases where they encounter difficulties gaining entry into a house, they resort to setting it ablaze instead.

Furthermore, the footage captures a disturbing scene where a Hamas fighter stands on top of a deceased individual and continues to shoot at close range. Other scenes depict heated arguments among Hamas members, competing to brutally decapitate a Thai laborer using a garden hoe, repeatedly shouting "Allahu akbar" with each swing. Additionally, militants are seen intentionally setting cars on fire, only to gather around for a selfie, displaying smiles akin to those seen at festive tailgate events.

In Netiv HaAsara, a small town situated along the Gaza border, a family is abruptly awakened by an attack. In a state of panic, a father and his three sons hastily escape their home, clad only in their underwear. Caught on surveillance footage, the father carries one child while the remaining two follow closely behind, navigating through the living room. Managing to reach the safety of their bomb shelter, the father shields his sons, ensuring their protection. Tragically, moments later, two Hamas members hurl a grenade into the entryway, instantly taking the father's life. Miraculously, the two older boys, aged approximately 10 or 12, survive with injuries, their bodies marked by blood. With heavy hearts, they return to their living room, grappling with the devastating reality of their father's loss.

"I know, I saw," the other, hunched over the table, says, adding that he can only see with one eye after the grenade blast.

They are inconsolablenot that theres anyone there to console them. A Hamas militant absentmindedly raids their fridge as they sob uncontrollably.

When the mother of the boy arrives later with the village's security, she is forcibly separated from her deceased husband and escorted to safety.

At the Nova music festival, where at least 260 bodies were discovered, the atmosphere quickly turns chaotic as partygoers realize they are under attack. Despite the ongoing music, someone captures a video showing paragliders approaching from the distance. Attendees at the festival hastily seek refuge in dumpsters and behind trees, desperate for safety. However, no place appears to be secure. A Hamas militant, equipped with a body camera, casually walks past the portable toilets and indiscriminately fires into each one, perhaps to ensure no one is hiding inside.

Many individuals rushed to nearby bomb shelters amidst the chaos. In a video, the shocked expression of a festival-goer captures the scene within a packed bunker, filled with the sorrowful cries of fellow attendees. Later, the sight of orderly rows of white body bags serves as a grim reminder of those who lost their lives.

In the past three weeks, Israel has relentlessly launched airstrikes on Gaza from above. Israeli officials claim to be targeting Hamas militants and their strategic positions, asserting that they are deliberately intertwined within the civilian population. On Friday night, Israel deployed additional forces into the confined strip of land as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the initiation of the campaign's second phase. Disregarding pleas for a ceasefire from other nations, the Israeli government remains steadfast in its refusal, despite mounting concerns of escalating regional conflict and the dire plight faced by Gazan civilians, who are unable to flee and lack access to basic resources.

Retired IDF Maj. Gen. Mickey Edelstein emphasized the presence of innocent individuals in Gaza, highlighting the differentiation between civilians and Hamas. However, Israeli officials reiterated their determination to continue the ongoing war. Gilad Erdan, Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, stated, "A ground operation is the only solution to defeat Hamas."

On Saturday, an IDF spokesperson once again encouraged residents to evacuate northern Gaza.