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11 months ago
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Israeli troops accidentally killed three hostages they mistook for terrorists during fierce fighting in Gaza, the IDF admitted tonight.
The captured Israelis, who were abducted on October 7, were shot at as the during the neighbourhood of Shejaiya in Gaza city after members of the IDF mistook them as a 'threat'.
The IDF has named two of the hostages - Yotam Haim, who was abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Samer Talalka, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Am on October 7.
The third hostage will not be named by the IDF at request of their family.
'During combat in Shejaiya, the IDF mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat,' the army said in a statement. 'As a result, the troops fired toward them and they were killed.'
The forced expressed expressing 'deep remorse over the tragic incident' and have launched an immediate investigation.
Yotam Haim, 28, (right) pictured with his brother Tuval Haim, 31, (left). Yotam was killed by the IDF after he was mistaken for a terrorist
Samer Talalka, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Am on October 7, was also killed by the IDF
The captured Israelis, who were abducted on October 7, were shot at as the during the neighbourhood of Shejaiya in Gaza after members of the IDF mistook them as a 'threat'
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. 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.'
The Israeli military said it will be 'reviewing the incident immediately' adding that 'immediate lessons' have also been learnt.
It said it's mission remains to 'locate the missing and return all hostages home'.
Earlier today the IDF confirmed it had recovered three more bodies of hostages seized by Hamas during the lethal October 7 attacks.
The victims were identified as Elia Toledano, 28, Cpl. Nik Beizer, 19, and Sgt. Ron Sherman, 19.
Toledano, a French-Israeli, was among an estimated 240 people abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
He had been attending the Nova music festival alongside his friend and fellow French-Israeli Mia Schem, who was released under a truce agreement at the end of November.
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna expressed deep sadness over Toledano's death, confirmed by the IDF and corroborated by medical officials, military rabbis, and the Institute of Forensic Medicine.
'We share the grief of his family and loved ones. The release of all hostages is our priority,' she wrote on X.
According to the Israeli military, 132 of the hostages taken to Gaza are still being held.
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