The Israeli military has completed its investigation into the mistaken killing of three Israeli hostages, saying the event “should not have occurred” and could have been prevented but taking no disciplinary action.
Quick Read
- Israeli Military Investigation Results: The Israeli military concluded its probe into the accidental shooting of three Israeli hostages, acknowledging the tragedy was preventable but not recommending disciplinary actions.
- Circumstances of the Incident: On December 15, Israeli hostages Yotam Haim (28), Samer Al-Talalka (25), and Alon Shamriz were mistakenly killed by Israeli forces in Gaza City. They had emerged shirtless, waving a white flag in an attempt to show they were not a threat.
- Complex Battle Conditions: The army cited factors like complex battle situations, limited visibility, and overwhelming noise from nearby tanks, which impeded hearing orders, as contributing factors.
- Commander’s Response: After two hostages were shot, the third retreated, screaming in Hebrew. Despite a cease-fire order from the commander, subsequent gunfire resulted in his death.
- Army’s Stance on the Mistake: Army spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari acknowledged the challenging circumstances faced by soldiers, which led to the tragic error. He emphasized the intense pressure and confusion during combat.
- No Malice Found: Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the army’s chief, stated that while open-fire procedures were violated, as the hostages posed no threat, the soldiers acted without malice and to the best of their understanding in a high-tension situation.
The Associated Press has the story:
Israeli Military: No Action against soldiers in mistaken killing of 3 hostages
Newslooks- JERUSALEM (AP)
The Israeli military has completed its investigation into the mistaken killing of three Israeli hostages, saying the event “should not have occurred” and could have been prevented but taking no disciplinary action.
The three hostages , Yotam Haim, 28, Samer Al-Talalka, 25 and Alon Shamriz, were mistakenly shot by Israeli forces on Dec. 15 after exiting a building in a Gaza City neighborhood where intense battles had taken place.
Announcing the results of its investigation, the army on Thursday confirmed initial reports that the men had emerged from the building shirtless and waving a white flag, apparently trying to signal they posed no threat.
Two men were killed immediately, while the third ran back into the building screaming for help in Hebrew. The commander issued an order to cease-fire, but another burst of gunfire killed the third man.
The army said that complex battle conditions, limited visibility and noise from nearby tanks that prevented troops from hearing their commanders’ instructions contributed to the fatal event.
“The fighting creates many complex and difficult situations,” army spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told a news conference.
“After entire days of encountering explosives, watching your friends die, having RPGs fired at you, encountering terrorists wearing civilian clothes without a weapon, pulling you toward all kinds of explosives in the streets — in that situation, a soldier stood at a window with limited visibility. He made a mistake,” he said.
The army’s chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said the soldiers had violated open-fire procedures because the hostages did not pose a threat. But he said “there was no malice in the event” and the soldiers acted “to the best of their understanding.”
