The Israeli army admitted this Friday to having killed three Israeli hostages who were held captive within the Gaza Strip, whom they "mistakenly identified as a threat."
"During the fighting in Shujaiya, the Israel Defense Forces mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat. As a result, troops shot and killed them," a military statement said.
"Their bodies were transferred to Israeli territory for examination where it was confirmed that they were three Israeli hostages and they were identified," the letter continued.
The identity of two of the victims has emerged: Yotam Haim, kidnapped from the Kfar Aza kibbutz by Hamas on October 7; and Samer Talalka, kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Am by Hamas on the same day. For their part, the family of the third hostage has also been notified and has requested that his name not be disclosed.
The Israeli army is already reviewing the incident, while explaining that "this is an active combat zone in which clashes have occurred in recent days."
Likewise, he has expressed his deep remorse "for the tragic incident" and sends "his deepest condolences" to the families. "Our national mission is to locate the missing and return all hostages home," he concludes.
