For terror propaganda.
About 15 years ago, a Marine Colonel (?Higgins?) was captured in Israel or near Israel, and three months later they showed his body hanging on a gibbet claiming they "executed" him.
The CIA claimed he had died months before. I was confused until an Israeli friend pointed out that A) He was wearing a heavy top coat, meaning that he died in January, about the time he was captured, and B) the body hung straight, without a broken neck or signs of strangulation.
Apparantly the Guy was CIA, and killed himself on capture, so they "faked" an execution for their more naive followers.
Betcha the bad guys were enjoying the torture of Daniel Pearle, like a game to them, or an orgy.
May they fry in Hell for all eternity.