Three Israeli hostages shot dead by IDF troops held a white flag on a stick and were shirtless when they were mistaken for Hamas terrorists, a military official revealed.
The incident, which caused a stir on the streets of Israel, occurred in an area of intense fighting in Gaza, where Hamas operates in plainclothes and uses deception tactics, the official said.
The hostages were shot at in violation of Israeli rules of engagement, the official added.
According to the Israeli military, Yotam Haim (28), Alon Shamriz (26) and Samer El-Talalka (22) were shot during operations in Gaza City.
A soldier saw the hostages emerge dozens of meters from Israeli forces in the Shejaiya area.
Three Israeli hostages who were accidentally killed by Israeli forces in Gaza held up a white flag. From left to right: Alon Shamriz, Samer El-Talalka and Yotam Haim
The picture shows Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip as the war between Israel and Hamas continues
The deaths of the three hostages sparked anger in Israel, with protesters marching last night to share their fear and anger. Pictured: Relatives and supporters of hostages of Palestinian militants demonstrate in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv
“They are all shirtless and have a stick with a white cloth on it.” The soldier feels threatened and opens fire. “He explains that they are terrorists, they open fire, two are killed instantly,” the military official said.
The third hostage was wounded and retreated to a nearby building, where he called for help in Hebrew.
“Immediately, the battalion commander issues a ceasefire order, but again there is a burst of fire on the third figure and he also dies,” the official said. “This violated our rules of engagement,” he added.
The three hostages were among about 250 people kidnapped during Hamas' attacks in Israel on October 7, which Israel said killed about 1,140 people, mostly civilians.
Promising to destroy Hamas and bring back the hostages, Israel launched a massive military offensive against the Palestinian Islamist movement that left much of the Gaza Strip in ruins.
The war has killed at least 18,800 people, mostly women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled territory.
Army spokesman Daniel Hagari said yesterday that during fighting in Gaza City's Shejaiya district, troops “misidentified three Israeli hostages as a threat and subsequently shot at them, killing the hostages.”
The military later said it had begun a “review of the incident” and that “lessons were immediately learned from the incident” and disseminated to all troops on the ground.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called her death an “unbearable tragedy.”
An Israeli flag is covered in red paint as relatives of hostages held by Hamas demonstrate in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv on December 15
People hold signs as they protest after the Israeli military announced that it had mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 15, 2023
People march through Tel Aviv with megaphones after it was announced that three Israeli hostages had been killed
Mr. Haim was kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Kfar Aza and Mr. Talalka, 22, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Am on October 7.
The third victim, Mr Shamriz, was a 26-year-old computer engineering student, the son of Iranian parents.
The hostages' families have been desperately trying to get them home since they disappeared more than two months ago.
The deaths of the three hostages sparked anger in Israel, with protesters marching last night to share their fear and anger.
Scenes from Tel Aviv showed crowds, including many families of those abducted by Hamas, taking to the streets with banners to mourn and demand the return of Israelis held captive in the Gaza Strip.
Protesters held signs calling for an immediate hostage exchange and showed pictures of relatives who have now been missing for almost 10 weeks, while an Israeli flag covered in red paint was left outside the Defense Ministry.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Defense Ministry, including Merav Svirsky, the sister of Hamas hostage Itay Svirsky, who said: “I'm dying of fear.” “We demand a deal now.”
This comes amid growing international concern over Israel's operation in the region.
The offensive has leveled large parts of the northern Gaza Strip and forced 85 percent of Gaza's 2.3 million residents from their homes.
This weekend, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered again across the UK to demand an end to the Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip.
In north London, around 100 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Camden to call for a ceasefire. Some shouted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
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