The Israeli military has said that it has killed three hostages by mistake during its campaign in Gaza after they were misidentified as a “threat,” as reported by the BBC. The deceased were identified as Yotam Haim, 28, Samer Talalka, 22, and Alon Shamriz, 26.
The military said the three were shot by troops operating in Shejaiya, in Gaza’s north. The three were identified after their bodies were returned to Israeli territory, after checks.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the incident that took place on Friday was under investigation and that it “expresses deep remorse over the tragic incident and sends the families its heartfelt condolences,” as reported by the BBC. “Our national mission is to locate the missing and return all the hostages home,” it added.
Following the announcement about the incident, hundreds of people gathered in central Tel Aviv and marched to an IDF military base in the city. The people called on the government to secure a deal for the release of the remaining hostages.
According to the BBC, the demonstrators held candles and carried placards that read “Bring [them] home” and “Hostage exchange now!”
Yotam Haim was kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, He was a musician. According to BBC, on the morning of the Hamas attack, he called his family and informed them that his house was on fire. When he opened the window for some fresh air, he was kidnapped by Hamas.
Alon Shamriz was at also Kfar Aza at the time of attack. Samer Talalka, a Bedouin, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Am. On the morning of 7 October, he was at work. He called his sister after the attack to tell her that he had been injured by gunfire, BBC reported. Speaking to local media, Talalka’s father said that he lost touch at 07:00 local time on the morning of the attacks. A photograph of him being led through Gaza was shared on Telegram.
