The Israeli military reported that three Israeli hostages were mistakenly shot and killed during a battle with Hamas in northern Gaza on Friday. The tragic incident took place in Shejaiye, a heavily populated community identified by Israeli officials as a Hamas stronghold.
The Israeli forces “mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat,” the military stated. “Thus, the troops fired at them, resulting in their death.”
The military acknowledged that their bodies were transferred to Israeli territory for confirmation of their identities. The hostages were identified as Yotam Haim and Alon Shamriz, who were taken during the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7, and Samer Talalka, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Am. The military expressed deep regret and announced an investigation into the matter.
The Israeli authorities described the incident as taking place in a combat zone where the troops had faced terrorists and had previously been involved in dangerous situations.
In response to the tragedy, Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesman for the Israeli military, assured that they would provide full transparency, and that the troops would receive necessary lessons to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
The families of the hostages released a statement expressing their profound grief over the tragic loss of their loved ones.
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, also issued a statement expressing deep empathy for the hostages’ families and support for the soldiers devoted to the mission of returning hostages home safely.
Hundreds of protesters in Tel Aviv demanded the immediate return of all the hostages in response to the incident.
The intense fighting in Gaza has raised hopes for the hostages’ release, although there is also increasing pressure for the Israeli government to end the ground invasion and resume negotiations with Hamas.