Serious mistake in Gaza operation
IDF: Killed hostages raised white flag
December 16, 2023, 2:02 p.m
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The accidental killing of three Israeli hostages sparks horror in Israel. The Israeli military is now providing further details about the incident. The soldiers should therefore not have opened fire at all.
The Israeli military has released more details about the mistaken killing of three hostages in Gaza on Friday. An IDF official said one of the soldiers saw the hostages coming out of a building without their shirts and holding a stick with a white cloth, according to the BBC. The soldier felt threatened and opened fire because he thought the men were terrorists, according to the IDF official.
Two hostages were killed instantly, one was injured and ran back into the building. The soldiers then heard a cry for help in Hebrew, “and immediately the battalion commander issued a ceasefire order,” the official continued. After the third injured hostage screamed for help, the soldiers opened fire again, whereupon this hostage also died.
“I’ll say it very clearly and clearly. This was against our rules of engagement. I repeat, it was against our rules of engagement,” said the military representative. The killings were “very tragic” and a preliminary investigation “at the highest level” was underway. Lessons have been learned and “all rules of engagement are being re-sent to all armed forces.”
There was also a building marked “SOS” a few hundred meters from where the three hostages were mistakenly killed. “We are still checking whether there is a connection between this building and the hostages,” said the official. The IDF will search the area for further information about the incident. It is still unclear whether the hostages were left behind or were able to escape from Hamas.
Hundreds of people took to the streets in Tel Aviv to protest against the actions of the Israeli army. Among them were relatives of hostages. The protesters demanded a quick new agreement to release the remaining hostages.