In an unusual move, ZAKA addressed Hamas in a message in Arabic on X on Tuesday, saying, "Hamas - we were in hell, now it's your turn."
حماس - نحن كنا في الجحيم، الآن دوركم
— זק״א (@zakaHQ) February 11, 2025
This came shortly after Hamas announced it was suspending Gaza hostage releases until further notice, citing alleged Israeli violations.
This is not the first time ZAKA has deviated from its usual social media content to post something more emotive.
In October 2024, when Ayatollah Ali Khamenei opened a Hebrew X account, ZAKA replied with a line from the Jewish Kaddish prayer for the dead, which could be interpreted as a subtle hint that Khamenei's end may be near.
What is ZAKA?
ZAKA is an Israeli emergency response service that responds to natural disasters, road accidents, murders, and terrorist attacks.
Made up of mostly ultra-Orthodox (haredi) Jews, ZAKA volunteers also work in identifying the deceased and, if needed, gathering the blood and body parts in order to aid in the burial process.
It was especially occupied in the aftermath of October 7, where many ZAKA volunteers were responsible for handling and identifying the bodies of those murdered by Hamas.
In July 2024, ZAKA was awarded the health minister's Shield Award in a ceremony at Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital near Jerusalem.
"Today, everyone is already familiar with ZAKA's work around the clock in emergencies and on a day-to-day basis. The choice to give the award to you was made before October 7, but is now deserved by the volunteers twice as much," said Moshe Bar Siman Tov, the director general of the Ministry of Health. "Your work is voluntary but critical and important to the system, and we see its impacts all the time."