In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across Israel, three young men abducted by Hamas during its assault on southern Israel in October have been killed, raising concerns about the safety of other hostages in Gaza. The victims, identified as Yotam Haim, Samer El-Talalka, and Alon Shamriz, all in their 20s, were reportedly killed by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) after escaping their captors and approaching an IDF position in the Shejaiya area of Gaza City.
According to reports from an IDF probe revealed in the Israeli media, the three men, carrying a stick with a white cloth tied to it and shirtless, were mistaken for terrorists by an Israeli soldier on a rooftop. The soldier opened fire, claiming they were terrorists. Two of the hostages fell immediately, while the third fled into a nearby building. Despite pleas for help in Hebrew, the third hostage was killed when IDF personnel entered the building.
It was disclosed that the IDF had earlier identified a nearby building marked with "SOS" and "Help! Three hostages" two days prior but had hesitated, fearing it might be a trap.
As news of the incident surfaced late on Friday night, a hastily organized demonstration took place at the Kirya, Israel's sprawling military headquarters compound in Tel Aviv. The public outcry is growing, with many expressing anger and incredulity over the tragic turn of events.
The incident has intensified concerns about the safety of other hostages in Gaza and has raised questions about the IDF's decision-making process during rescue operations.