Israeli troops mistakenly killed three hostages held by Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, in the Gaza Strip in an incident that is “under investigation,” an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman said on Friday.
The military said the hostages were killed during a clash with militants in Gaza. They expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and said the investigation into the incident would be “completely transparent.”
The military said in a statement that during heavy fighting in the Gaza Strip, it “identified three Israeli hostages as a threat.”
“As a result, the troops opened fire in their direction and they were killed,” the report said.
The White House called the killing of hostages in Gaza by the Israeli army a “tragic mistake.”
“We do not have complete information about exactly how this operation unfolded and how this tragic mistake was made,” White House spokesman John Kirby said, according to AFP.
Israel has been fighting fierce battles in recent days with Hamas militants, who often dress in casual civilian clothing. On Wednesday, the IDF announced its highest combat casualties yet: 10 soldiers in 24 hours.
In the October 7 attack, Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages. Israel then launched a counteroffensive, during which some 19,000 people died, according to health authorities in the Gaza Strip. Thousands more are feared buried under the rubble.
During a week-long truce in late November, Hamas released more than 100 women, children and foreigners it was holding in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of 240 women and young people under the age of 19 who were being held in Israeli prisons. . often free of charge.
“Together with all the people of Israel, I bow my head in deep sorrow and mourn the death of our three beloved children who were kidnapped,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “My heart goes out to the grieving families during this difficult time.”
More than 100 hostages remain in the Gaza Strip. Some of them were declared dead in absentia by the Israeli authorities.
Earlier on Friday, the IDF said it had found the bodies of three Israelis – a civilian and two soldiers – who were being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
