Hamas’s Deadly Mistake: Hostage Tortured to Death Over False Pilot Claim

Dani Elgarat delivered a heartrending testimony today at the Knesset, revealing the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of his brother, Itzik Elgarat, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and died in Hamas captivity. Dani disclosed that intelligence officials recently informed him of new details: Itzik suffered a fatal heart attack during a brutal interrogation by Hamas, who falsely believed he was an Israeli Air Force pilot. “Yesterday, intelligence personnel came to see me and updated me with something new,” Dani said. “My brother was held together with Edan Alexander, and one day they took him out for interrogation. They suspected my brother was a pilot. He never came back from that interrogation.”

Dani recounted, through tears, that when fellow hostage Edan Alexander inquired about Itzik’s whereabouts, Hamas captors coldly responded that he had “gone.” The interrogation’s intensity, driven by the erroneous suspicion, led to Itzik’s heart attack. Itzik, a beloved maintenance supervisor at Kibbutz Nir Oz, was known for his vibrant personality, love of travel, and passion for Maccabi Tel Aviv football. Having lived in Denmark for years, he was a devoted father of two, a “cool uncle,” and a sociable man with a generous heart, according to family. He was abducted from his home while on the phone with Dani during the Hamas attack.

Itzik’s body was returned to Israel in early 2025 through a prisoner swap deal. Kibbutz Nir Oz mourned his loss, stating, “With deep sorrow, we announce the murder of Itzik Elgarat, of blessed memory, who was kidnapped from his home in the kibbutz on Saturday, October 7, and was murdered in captivity in Gaza. Itzik is survived by two children, a brother, and two sisters. We remember him smiling, with his huge heart and willingness to be there always, for anyone in need.”