The Israeli bomb shelter became a death chamber instead.

Some of the civilians who attended a music festival in Re’im, Israel, managed to flee to a nearby concrete shelter when Hamas militants attacked the outdoor concert venue.

Such shelters have been built throughout Israel to provide safety from rocket attacks by Hamas. But this time, the civilians were trapped inside when the terrorists approached the shelter on foot.

CNN correspondent Nic Robertson walked into the shelter two days later but quickly retreated, saying he was “overcome by the smell” of death.

“The bomb shelters, these brightly painted concrete bunkers here for people to go hide in when there’s danger close, when the rockets are coming,” Mr. Robertson said. “And what is clear that happened here, people came in here to get shelter. There’s gunshots and impacts all over the wall.”

He said to his cameraman, “I don’t think we’ll go in too far, John, if we just step out and let me describe what we’re seeing. Because it is a very horrific testimony to the absolute carnage, rampage, and utter, utter brutality of Hamas.”

• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.