Tragic.
The IDF accidentally killed three Israeli hostages during heavy fighting with Hamas in Gaza. The three hostages escaped the group, or the terrorists abandoned them. The IDF mistakenly identified them as terrorists.
It is common for Hamas to dress as civilians.
The IDF has also “encountered many terrorists, including suicide bombers” in the area.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari tweeted in a long thread (auto translated):
During the fighting in Shejaiya, an IDF force mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat. As a result the force fired at them and they were killed.During a scan and inspection of the area of the incident, a suspicion arose regarding the identity of the dead. The bodies were taken for examination in Israeli territory, after which it turned out that they were three Israeli abductees >>Their bodies were examined at the “Deer Center” in Shura camp, where the abductees were identified:The late Yotam Haim, who was kidnapped from Kfar Gaza by the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7.The late Samer Talalka, who was kidnapped from Nir Am by the terrorist organization Hamas on October 7.A message was also given to the family of the third abductee, at whose request his name will not be given now >>The messages were delivered to their families by representatives of the IDF and the Israel Police.The IDF began investigating the incident immediately. This is a combat zone where there have been many incidents in recent days. Immediate lessons from the event are now being passed on to all the fighting forces in the field >>The IDF expresses deep sorrow for the incident and shares in the grief of the families. The IDF will continue to act in all efforts to return the abductees home.
I cannot imagine how the families and soldiers must feel right now. I hope they receive any and all help they need to get through this horrible time.
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