Israeli troops accidentally killed three hostages they thought were terrorists during intense fighting in Gaza, the IDF admitted this evening.
The captive Israelis, who were kidnapped on October 7, were fired upon in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza after IDF members mistakenly viewed them as a “threat.”
“During the battle in Shejaiya, the IDF mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat,” the army said in a statement. “As a result, the troops fired on them and they were killed.”
Officers expressed “deep regret over the tragic incident” and launched an immediate investigation.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said: “This is a tragic incident, the IDF bears responsibility.” “In this area, 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
Samer Talalka, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Am on October 7, was also killed by the IDF
The captive Israelis, who were kidnapped on October 7, were fired upon in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza after IDF members mistakenly viewed them as a “threat.”
He named the hostages Yotam Haim, who was kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Samer Talalka, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Am on October 7.
At the family's request, the IDF will not release the name of the third hostage.
The Israeli military said it would “immediately review the incident,” adding that “immediate lessons” had also been learned.
It said the mission remained to “locate the missing and return all hostages home.”
Further information will follow.
IDF troops accidentally kill three Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas after mistaking them for terrorists during brutal fighting in Gaza