Israeli soldiers mistakenly killed three hostages in Gaza City, who had used leftover food to write signs pleading for help. The men, Yotam Haim, 28, Samer Talalka, 22, and Alon Shamriz, 26, were killed in the Shejaiya neighborhood. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) admitted that the killing was a breach of engagement rules. The hostages had been held by Hamas and allied Palestinian groups as Israel faced pressure for a ceasefire deal to free more captives.
The incident occurred during a massive retaliatory operation launched by Tel Aviv to destroy Hamas, following attacks that killed around 1,200 in southern Israel. The army also admitted to the killing of the hostages, who emerged shirtless with a white flag and were immediately shot. Messages pleading for help were found in the building where the hostages had been staying for some time.
Families of the hostages urged the Israeli government for a new truce to free the remaining captives, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that military pressure is necessary for the return and victory. More than 18,000 people have been killed in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands pushed out of their homes.
The IDF said it was not clear whether the hostages had been abandoned by their captors or escaped. There are still around 120 hostages believed to be in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Israel continues to face pressure for a ceasefire as the conflict with Hamas persists.
The incident has sparked outrage and renewed calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as the conflict in the region continues to escalate.
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