‘Mistakenly identified as a threat’, IDF claims responsibility for killing three Israeli hostages

PALESTINE/GAZA: The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have claimed that the troops shot and killed three hostages held by Hamas after identifying them as a ‘threat’.

According to a The Guardian report, the IDF has confirmed its troops killed the three hostages identified as Yotam Haim, Alon Shamriz, and Samer El-Talaqa, ‘mistakenly’ identifying them as threats while fighting in a neigbourhood in Gaza City. The announcement which came on Friday coincided with heavy fighting in the Gaza region, resulting in those killed or wounded being transported to hospitals in Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah.

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In another report, Qatar-based network Al Jazeera claimed one of its journalists had been killed and another wounded in a drone attack while they were reporting in Khan Younis. Per initial reports, Al Jazeera had stated its staff – video journalist Samer Abu Daqqa and chief correspondent, Wael al-Dahdouh – were injured by shrapnel while reporting at a school hit by an airstrike.

Al Jazeera reported: “Following Samer’s injury, he was left to bleed to death for over five hours, as Israeli forces prevented ambulances and rescue workers from reaching him, denying the much-needed emergency treatment”.

'Mistakenly identified as a threat', IDF claims responsibility for killing three Israeli hostages | Baaghi TV

CREDIT: Reuters

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According to The Guardian, two of the hostages killed by the IDF were reportedly taken from the Kfar Aza kibbutz in the October 7 attack while Samar El-Talaqa was taken from Nir Am kibbutz. In a statement released by the IDF on Friday, a representative said that while the exact circumstances of their deaths are not certain, “During combat in Shejaiya, the IDF mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat. As a result, the troops fired toward them and they were killed.”

Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli army said they believed the hostages killed by the Israeli troops might have fled or been abandoned. Hagari said: “Perhaps in the last few days, or over the past day – we still don’t know all the details”. On the other hand, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu skirted responsibility and said: “I bow my head in deep sorrow and mourn the death of three of our dear sons”.

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Aside from claiming responsibility for the deaths of its three hostages, the IDF recovered the bodies of three other hostages: Elya Toledano, 28, Nik Beizer, 19, and Ron Scherman, 19, as confirmed by Western media.

An aerial view of a destroyed residential area as Palestinians try to collect usable items under the rubbles of a building, demolished following the Israeli attacks, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on December 12. CREDIT: CNN

It is pertinent to mention that since the recent onslaught of its genocide in Gaza, the IDF has killed approximately 18,700 people of which most are women and children as confirmed by Palestinian authorities. Meanwhile, over 4,400 Palestinians are being held hostage – many without charge, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Association.

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