Three Israeli hostages died after the Israel Defense Forces mistook them for a “threat” during crossfire in Gaza on Friday, and the military expressed “deep sorrow” over the deaths.
Yotam Haim, Samer Talalka and Alon Shamriz died when they were accidentally “attacked” in Shejaiya and shot dead by the IDF.
Haim was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 in Kfar Aza, while Talalka was kidnapped in Nir Am, according to the Times of Israel.
Haim, 28, was a heavy metal drummer for the band Persephore. He was taken from his house at the beginning of the war and Hamas fighters set fire to his house.
Talalka, who was in his early 20s, was taken from a farm where he and his father worked. The young man used to work early weekend shifts in the chicken coop, according to the outlet.
Shamriz was a 26-year-old computer engineering student whose parents are from Iran, the Times of Israel reported.
During an “inspection” of the area, “a “suspicion arose regarding the identity of the dead,” according to the IDF.
“The bodies were taken for examination in Israeli territory, after which it turned out that they were three Israeli abductees,” the force said in a tweet.
They were taken to a “deer center” at a Shura camp in Israel, where they were identified.
“The IDF expresses its deep regret over the incident and shares the pain of the families. The IDF will continue to act in all efforts to return the abductees to their homes,” he stated.
Alon Shamriz was killed in the crossfire on Friday. Avi Lulu/Facebook Samer Fouad Al-Talalka was one of the hostages who were allegedly killed by the IDF. via REUTERS Yotam Haim also died in the mistaken IDF attack. AP
The area has been a “combat zone” for several days, including encounters with “suicide bombers,” the IDF said.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said he believed the three hostages “fled or were abandoned by the terrorists who were holding them captive.”
Haim was kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 from the Kfar Aza kibbutz, while Talalka was kidnapped in Nir Am, according to the Times of Israel. IDF/GPO/SIPA/Shutterstock The IDF announced that it mistakenly killed 3 hostages it believed were Hamas terrorists. FDI/GPO/SIPA/Shutterstock
“Shortly after the tragic incident, another encounter with terrorists took place near the incident site,” he added.
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Following the incident, Israel’s ground forces were given new protocols to help identify the hostages and prevent further hostage deaths.
The deaths come after the United States and Israel discussed reducing intense combat operations in the war, although both sides agreed that fighting would take several months to defeat Hamas.
Following the incident, Israel’s ground forces were given new protocols to help identify the hostages and prevent further hostage deaths. IDF/Telegram They were accidentally “attacked” in Shejaiya and shot dead by Israeli forces, according to reports. MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock During an “inspection” of the area, “a “suspicion arose regarding the identity of the dead,” according to the IDF. FDI/GPO/SIPA/Shutterstock
US national security adviser Jake Sullivan also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the country’s post-war future.
According to a senior US official, it could include the return of Palestinian security forces expelled from their jobs in Gaza by Hamas in its 2007 takeover.
It is unclear how Gaza will be managed in a post-war scenario.
Similar talks are expected to take place when US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visits Israel.
President Biden’s administration has expressed concern about Israel’s failure to reduce civilian casualties. The White House continues to support the war-torn country with arms shipments and diplomatic support.
“I want you to focus on how to save civilian lives,” Biden said Thursday. “Don’t stop pursuing Hamas, but be more careful.”
More than 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. Thousands more are missing and others are feared dead.
More than 130 hostages are still in the hands of Hamas.
With post cables
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Source: vtt.edu.vn