Israeli forces accidentally killed three hostages they mistook for terrorists during heavy fighting in Gaza, the IDF admitted tonight.
The captured Israelis, who were kidnapped on October 7, were shot at while near Shejaiya in Gaza after members of the IDF mistook them as a 'threat'.
“During fighting in Shejaiya, the IDF incorrectly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat,” the army said in a statement. “As a result, the troops shot at them and killed them.”
The forced people have expressed their “deep regret over the tragic incident” and immediately launched an investigation.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said: 'This is a tragic incident, the IDF bears responsibility. This is an area where the soldiers encountered many terrorists, including suicide bombers.”
Yotam Haim, 28, (right) pictured with his brother Tuval Haim, 31, (left). Yotam was killed by the IDF after being mistaken for a terrorist
He named the hostages as Yotam Haim, who was kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Samer Talalka, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Am on October 7.
The IDF will not name the third hostage at the family's request.
The Israeli military said it will “immediately assess the incident,” adding that “immediate lessons” had also been learned.
It says the mission is still to “locate the missing and return all hostages home.”
More to come.