Gaza hostages mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers were 'waving white flag'

16 December 2023 , 19:34

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Yotam Haim, one of three hostages shot dead by the IDF (Image: HMFF/UNPIXS)

Israeli hostages shot dead by their own side had waved a white flag, it emerged today.

Military chiefs have admitted mistakenly killing the three men aged in their 20s in Gaza on Friday. A probe by the Israel Defence Forces says they died in an area where Hamas operates in civilian clothes, using deception tactics.

One official said: “They’re all without shirts and they have a stick with a white cloth on it. The soldier feels threatened and opens fire. He declares that they’re terrorists…two are killed immediately.” The third hostage was wounded and fled to a building where he was shot dead despite shouting in Hebrew.

Alon Shamriz was also killed by the Israeli military (HMFF/UNPIXS)

The official added: “Immediately the battalion commander issues a ceasefire order but again there’s another burst of fire towards the third figure and he dies. This was against our rules of engagement.”

Overnight in Tel Aviv, hundreds of protesters, including the family and friends of the victims, blocked main roads and spilled red paint to symbolise the blood of the hostages. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called the deaths an “unbearable tragedy” and vowed “a supreme effort to return all the hostages home safely”.

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Samer Talalka was shot dead (HMFF/UNPIXS)

The victims – Samer Talalka, 22, Yotam Haim, 28, and Alon Shamriz, 26 – were abducted by Hamas in the raid on October 7. The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum said: “Yotam was a gifted musician and dedicated metal music fan who idolised the band Megadeth. Samer was an avid motorcyclist who loved to ride around the countryside and spend time with friends. Alon’s family and friends described him as a lover of life and a dedicated basketball fan.”

On October 7, Hamas killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages. Since then, Hamas says Israel has killed more than 18,700 people in Gaza. Back in the UK, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said destroyer HMS Diamond had shot down a suspected attack drone in the Red Sea.

Karen Rockett