Israel admits it shot and killed three hostages during clashes with Hamas

Yotam Haim (right), kidnapped from Kfar Gaza, was a heavy metal drummer. Photo: MirYam Institute

The Israeli army said it accidentally shot and killed three hostages after it “mistakenly” identified them as a threat.

“During the battle in Shejaiya, the IDF mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat. and as a result opened fire on them, and the hostages were killed,” the IDF said in a statement.

The victims included Yotam Haim, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Samer Talalka, who was taken from the kibbutz Nir-Am October 7

When asked how the hostages managed to escape from Hamas, Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, said the military believed that “the three escaped or were abandoned by the terrorists who were holding them captive.”

In his statement, Mr. Hagari said that “after the shooting, during scanning and examination, suspicions immediately arose regarding the identity of the victims, and their bodies were promptly transferred for examination to Israel, where the hostages were identified.”

“This is a sad and painful event for all of us, and the IDF bears responsibility for everything that happened,” he said.

Samer Talalqa was taken from Nir Am when Hamas invaded Israel on October 7. Photo: REUTERS

The IDF said it began an “immediate review of the incident,” adding: “This is an active combat zone where fighting has continued over the past several days. Immediate lessons were learned from this event and were passed on to all IDF soldiers on the ground.”

Mr. Haim, 28, was the drummer for the heavy metal band Peresphore and was last seen on video. on the morning of the Hamas attack, he sent a letter to his mother in which he was at the front door to the sound of gunfire. His house was later set on fire.

Talalka, 22, was working in a hatchery, which required him to watch the coop on weekends, when he was kidnapped.

He was living with his family in in the Bedouin town of Hura in southern Israel.

'Deep remorse'

The IDF and Israel notified the victims' families, and relatives of the third hostage asked his name. be held.

The Army said it “expresses deep remorse for the tragic incident and conveys its sincere condolences to the families.”

“Our national mission is to locate the missing and return all hostages at home.”