Social media users and public figures criticized CNN and New York Times for not mentioning that six hostages were murdered, rather than just being 'found dead'. The language used by international media to describe the murder of the hostages was distressing to many. The IDF announced that the bodies of the hostages were found in a Hamas tunnel in Rafah, and their names were released the following day. The IDF stated that the hostages were killed shortly before their arrival, and Hamas confirmed that they intentionally killed them. Hamas also declared their intention to kill other abductees if the IDF attempted a rescue.