The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria released a video Saturday depicting the beheading of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto.
The 66-second video, which a Japanese official called an “atrocious act of terrorism,” shows Goto on his knees in front of a river valley, according to ABC News. The White House National Security Council said Saturday that was working to confirm the video’s authenticity.
“The United States strongly condemns [the Islamic State’s] actions and we call for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. We stand in solidarity with our ally Japan,” spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said Saturday.
Goto, 46, is the second Japanese captive to be beheaded in recent weeks. The Islamic State had offered to release Goto in exchange for Sajida al-Rishawi, an al Qaeda member on death row in Jordan for her role in a 2005 suicide bombing.
“Let the nightmare for Japan begin,” the Islamic State executioner said.
