'Won’t let it happen again': Netanyahu releases unseen October 7 video, renews vow to destroy Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday released previously unseen footage from Hamas’s 7 October attack, standing alongside a bereaved mother whose family was devastated in the assault. His office said the move was meant to remind the world of the brutality Israel endured as criticism grows over its war in Gaza.

The black-and-white CCTV video shows the assault on the Tassa family in the southern community of Netiv Haasara. Gil Tassa and his children, Koren and Shay, are seen running into a shelter before a Hamas fighter hurls a grenade inside. Smoke and flames fill the room as the attackers storm in.

Gil is killed on the spot. The footage also records a frantic exchange between the brothers, with Shay telling Koren: “I can only see with one eye.” One attacker is then seen casually opening the family’s fridge before leaving.

Gil’s 17-year-old son Or was not there that morning; he was killed separately on Zikim beach while fishing, according to local reports. Koren and Shay later escaped to their mother Sabine’s nearby home, where they hid until being rescued.

Standing with Sabine, Netanyahu praised her resolve. “Sabine’s courage shames these terrorist cowards. She and her children carry scars that I’m afraid will never heal, yet she stands tall with dignity, with strength,” he said.

Posting later on X, he added, “My wife and I met last night with Sabine Tassa. Out of a deep sense of mission, Sabine decided to join the explanatory efforts of the State of Israel, and to allow the presentation of some of the shocking documentation filmed in her family’s home. The video is extremely difficult to watch, but it is necessary for the world to understand: Israel will not allow Hamas to repeat the horrors of October 7.”

Netanyahu vowed to continue Israel’s military campaign: “The State of Israel will continue to act with full force until the defeat of Hamas and the return of all the hostages.”

He said the footage should pierce through falsehoods about the war. “This film should break every decent heart that still beats. It should silence every lie that still circulates,” he declared.

“To the leaders who vilify Israel, I say, ‘Watch this film.’ To the terrorists of Hamas who vow to repeat the October 7 massacre again and again, I say, ‘We won’t let you do it,’” Netanyahu added. “We’ll destroy Hamas. We’ll bring our hostages home because we remember October 7. And so should you.”