The latest video of 21 Egyptians being beheaded in Libya is part of Islamic State’s tactic to gain funding and spread fear through the threat of the knife.
Above: a timeline of hostage takings and their outcomes by the Islamic State group.
Whilst the US and UK follow a policy of not negotiating with terror groups, some European nations are believed to have paid ransoms to the Islamic State group.
Over a 12-month period it is estimated that the Islamic State group has raised between $35m and $45m through ransom payments.
On Thursday the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution to cut off Islamic State funds, including calling on all UNSC member states “to prevent terrorists from benefiting directly or indirectly from ransom payments”.