The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have its forces killed three Israeli hostages in the northern town of Shejaiya, Gaza. Israeli military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, announced on the evening of 15 December that the hostages were mistakenly identified as a threat during an IDF operation. The deceased, Yotam Haim, Samer Talalka and Alon Lulu Shamriz, were among those kidnapped by Hamas during the 7 October attacks in Israel. Haim and Shamriz were taken by Hamas from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, while Talalka was taken from Kibbutz Nir Am. Expressing deep remorse over the incident, the IDF issued a statement conveying heartfelt condolences to the families of the three individuals. Hagari emphasized the IDF’s full responsibility for the killings and announced the opening of a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts of the case. The IDF stressed that it intends to locate and return all hostages to Israel. “Our national mission is to locate the missing and return all the hostages home,” a statement by the IDF stressed. According to Israeli media reports, IDF forces operating in Shejaiya, fired upon the hostages under the mistaken belief that they posed an immediate threat. Doubts…
