Israeli soldiers shot dead three hostages captured by Hamas this Friday after mistaking them for a threat, Israeli Army (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari revealed. The “tragic incident” took place during heavy fighting in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighborhood, “where soldiers encounter many terrorists, including suicide bombers,” and it is unclear whether the hostages had escaped their captors or been abandoned by them . The IDF took full responsibility for the “sad and painful incident” that occurred on the 70th day of the war between Israel and Hamas.
“Together with the entire people of Israel, I bow my head in complete sadness and mourn the loss of three of our beloved children who have been kidnapped,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “This is an unbearable tragedy. The entire state of Israel is in mourning tonight. My heart goes out to the relatives at this difficult time,” he added, also emphasizing the “sacred mission” of the “courageous fighters” who are trying to bring hostages home, risking their lives. “Even during this difficult night, we will clean the wounds, learn lessons and continue the utmost effort to return all hostages safely home,” the Prime Minister concluded.
Israeli authorities have released the names of two of the hostages killed: 28-year-old Yotam Haim, taken from Kfar Aza during the October 7 attack, and 24-year-old Samar Talalka, who was taken from Nir Am. The name of the third was initially withheld at the family’s request, but was later made public: Alon Lulu Shamriz, 26 years old, also from Kfar Aza. Hagari indicated that the IDF is investigating the incident, explaining that after the shooting, “suspicion about the identity of the dead was immediately raised and their bodies were quickly transferred for examination in Israel, where the hostages were identified.”
The incident occurred on the same day that the bodies of three other hostages were recovered: two 19-year-old Israeli soldiers and 28-year-old French-Israeli Elia Toledano, who had been taken from the music festival. A total of eight bodies have already been recovered (not counting the three wrongfully killed by the IDF), and Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy assured that Hamas “currently has the bodies of twenty hostages” in its possession, and claims that “they were murdered.” in captivity”. The terrorist group will also have 129 hostages.
Israel reopens the border
The Israeli government has “temporarily” approved humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom border. The idea is to decongest the Rafah border crossing, the only one connecting the Palestinian enclave with Egypt, through which all aid has flowed so far. “The government’s decision stipulates that only humanitarian aid coming from Egypt will be transferred to the Gaza Strip in this way,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.
Israel also indicated that the US “is committed to paying for the modernization of the Rafah crossing as quickly as possible, so that the transfer of humanitarian aid is only possible after passing through Israeli security checkpoints.” The US welcomed the decision to open the new border crossing. “We will continue to work closely with Egypt and other partners in distributing humanitarian aid through Rafah and hope that this new border crossing will help reduce traffic congestion and facilitate the delivery of life-saving aid to those who urgently need it in Gaza,” he said. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan before leaving Israel.
Sullivan was also in Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmud Abbas. He stressed that Gaza is an “integral part” of the Palestinian state and that “secession or any attempt to isolate any part of this state is unacceptable.” Abbas also said it is “urgent” for “Israeli aggression,” especially the “genocide being carried out against the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
Sullivan, who also met with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv, said the US does not believe it makes sense for Israel to “occupy Gaza” in the long term and claims that administration of the territory will eventually have to be handed over to the Palestinians . Washington has tried to get Israel to change the focus of the war in the meantime to avoid many civilian casualties, but without success.
Since Hamas’ terrorist attack on October 7, which killed 1,139 people, according to official Israeli data, the bombings and military ground operation in Gaza have killed 18,700 people, according to Hamas-controlled health authorities.
Source: DN
