UN Envoy Recounts Oct. 7 Sacrifice of Civilian Gil Taasa, Warns Hamas Remains Armed

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, delivered a poignant testimony to the Security Council, recounting the tragedy of the Taasa family during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. He described how Gil Taasa, a civilian and father from Netiv HaAsara, sacrificed his life by throwing himself onto a grenade to shield his two younger sons, who were hiding in a shelter. Danon detailed how terrorists filmed themselves dragging the two wounded boys into a kitchen, where one drank a Coca-Cola in front of them before the footage was shared on social media by Hamas. "Gil Taasa was not a soldier. He was a civilian! A father who sacrificed his life to save his children," Danon stated, emphasizing the terror of the moment. Three years after the massacre, Danon denounced Hamas's continued military capabilities, asserting that the organization "is still armed, continues to rearm and is preparing its next attack." He urged the Security Council to impose sanctions on Hamas and achieve its disarmament. Danon also issued a warning to Iran and Hezbollah against attempting to exploit Israel's election period for attacks, vowing a "devastating response" to any aggression. Additionally, he cited a foiled flydubai flight hijacking attempt as evidence of spreading terrorism and radicalization, and criticized the Palestinian Authority for delaying elections and allegedly perpetuating hate speech in its education system.