Israel-Hamas War: Israeli army shot dead Israeli hostages, why is IDF doing this in Gaza?

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat during fighting in the Shejaiya neighborhood of northern Gaza and opened fire on them, according to military spokesman Daniel Hagari on Friday. The army took full responsibility for their deaths. The Israeli hostages were fired upon in an area where soldiers had encountered several terrorists, including suicide bombers.

The IDF said on social media platform X “During the fighting in Shejaiya, the IDF mistakenly identified 3 Israeli hostages as a threat and, as a result, fired on them and the hostages died… The IDF expresses its deep regret over the tragic incident and expresses its condolences to the families. Expresses its heartfelt condolences. Our national mission is to locate the missing and return home all hostages.

The hostages were identified by Hamas as Yotam Haim, kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Kfar Azza, Samar Fouad Talalka, kidnapped from Nir Am, and Alon Shamriz, from Kfar Azza. The incident took place in a Gaza neighborhood that has seen the heaviest fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters in recent days, The Times of Israel reported.

Political leaders expressed surprise but insisted that Israeli forces would apply the lessons learned from the tragic incident and continue the offensive against Hamas. It comes amid growing pressure from families of captured hostages for a new ceasefire that could lead to a deal to free their loved ones.

What did Netanyahu say?

Reacting to the tragic developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it an “unbearable tragedy” and expressed his condolences to the families of three Israeli hostages accidentally killed by IDF soldiers in Gaza.

“This is an unbearable tragedy and all of Israel is mourning their loss this evening. My thoughts are with the bereaved families at this difficult time. I salute our courageous soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the sacred mission of bringing our hostages home.” “Strengthening them by putting them at risk. In doing so,” he said on X.

Meanwhile, Hagari said the Israeli military believed the hostages fled or were abandoned by Hamas militants who took them captive when IDF forces arrived in the neighborhood. He said, “This is a sad and painful event for all of us and the IDF is responsible for what happened.”

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby described the incident as heartbreaking and tragic. He said, “I think the Israelis will definitely look into this and I’m sure they will do forensics and try to figure out how it happened. That’s definitely how we would deal with a situation like this.”

Who were the hostages?

Haim, 28, was the drummer for the heavy metal band Persephone. He was last seen in a video on the morning of 7 October, showing himself at the front door of his Kafr Aja home before being abducted by Hamas militants.

Talalka, 22, was working at the Kibbutz Nir Am hatchery on October 7 when the attack occurred. Shamriz, a 26-year-old computer engineering student, was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Kfar Azza on October 7.

Shejaiya in northern Gaza has long been seen as a key Hamas stronghold, home to some of its most elite forces and most heavily fortified. It is close to the area where nine Israeli soldiers, including two senior commanders, were killed in a deadly battle with militants.

Hagari said on the fighting in Shejaiya In some cases, suicide bombers were encountered, and there were also attacks in which terrorists tried to lure our forces and draw them into ambushes. Soon after the tragic incident, another encounter took place with terrorists near the site of the incident.

Hamas killed 1,200 people and abducted about 240 during its attack on October 7, sparking a war that has devastated Gaza and killed 19,000 Palestinians. Hamas still holds more than 120 hostages, including Israeli men and soldiers, after many were released during a temporary pause in the fighting.