SERAMBINEWS.COM – Three Israeli hostages killed accidentally in Gaza by Israeli forces were flying white flags, according to a preliminary investigation into the incident, a military official said on Saturday.
The incident occurred in an area of heavy fighting where Hamas militants operate in civilian clothes and use deceptive tactics, the official said.
A soldier saw the hostages appear tens of meters from Israeli troops in the Shejaiya area, the official said.
“They were all without clothes and there were sticks on top of which there was a white cloth. The soldier felt threatened and opened fire. “He declared them terrorists, they (troops) opened fire, two people died instantly,” said the military official.
Also read: Families of Israeli Hostages Freed by Hamas Ask Netanyahu to Stop Attacks on Gaza
The third hostage was injured and retreated to a nearby building where he asked for help in Hebrew, the official said.
“The battalion commander immediately issued a ceasefire order, but again there was another shot at the third number and he was killed,” said the official. “This violates our rules of engagement,” he added.
The military on Friday identified the three hostages as Yotam Haim and Alon Shamriz, who were kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Samer Talalka, who was kidnapped from nearby Kibbutz Nir Am.
Also read: Wrong shot, IDF kills three Israeli hostages in Gaza in fierce fighting with Hamas fighters
They were among about 250 people taken hostage during the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, which killed about 1,140 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli data.
Vowing to destroy Hamas and bring back the hostages, Israel launched a massive military offensive against the Palestinian group that has left much of the Gaza Strip destroyed.
The Health Ministry in the Hamas-run region says the war has killed at least 18,800 people, mostly women and children.
2023-12-16 13:08:49
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