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An Israeli military official revealed that the Israeli army mistakenly identified and shot three shirtless male hostages in Gaza, violating its own rules of engagement.
The victims, Yotam Haim, Alon Shamriz, and Samer Talalka, are suspected to have escaped from Hamas captivity and their deaths are under investigation by the Israel Defense Forces.
An Israeli soldier, believing the hostages to be Hamas fighters attempting to lure Israeli soldiers into a trap, classified them as “terrorists.” Two hostages were killed immediately, and the third was shot as he sought cover while calling for help in Hebrew. Despite a cease-fire order from the local commander, the soldiers did not cease fire during the shooting.
The bodies were only examined when it was discovered that one of the victims had a “western appearance,” indicating mistaken identity. Haim, 28, had pale skin and ginger hair. These killings occurred within the context of other instances where Gazan civilians waving white flags were shot by Israeli soldiers, as documented by Palestinian human rights groups.
Hamas has claimed that other hostages have also been killed in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Over 18,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict, according to Palestinian health officials.
Families of the approximately 130 hostages still held by Hamas are planning to protest in Tel Aviv, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engage in negotiations for their release. The government believes that weakening Hamas militarily will lead to the freedom of the hostages.
Israel’s IDF chief of staff has taken responsibility for the deaths but stated that the decision to open fire on shirtless men carrying a white flag went against the current rules of engagement.
Israel has recently escalated military operations in the Gaza Strip, with casualties and firefights reported. Talks between Israel and Qatar for a possible deal with Hamas to secure the hostages’ release are in progress, but progress has been slow.
