IDF kill three Israeli hostages after 'mistakenly identifying them as threat' in Gaza

15 December 2023, 18:44 | Updated: 15 December 2023, 21:02

Samer Talalka (left), 22, and Yotam Haim (right), 28, were mistakenly identified as a threat and killed by IDF soldiers this morning, alongside Alon Shamriz (centre), 26, who was later identified
Samer Talalka (left), 22, and Yotam Haim (right), 28, were mistakenly identified as a threat and killed by IDF soldiers this morning, alongside Alon Shamriz (centre), 26, who was later identified. Picture: Hostage And Missing Families Forum and courtesy

By Christian Oliver

IDF soldiers have shot and killed three Israeli hostages after mistakenly identifying them as a threat during their onslaught on Hamas.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Spokesperson for the IDF Rear Adm Daniel Hagari said soldiers were engaged in battles in northern Gaza's Shejaiya region when they mistakenly opened fire on them.

The three Israeli hostages were killed after being 'mistakenly identified' as a threat, the spokesperson added.

“This is a tragic incident, the IDF bears responsibility,” Hagari said.

"During searches and checks in the area in which the incident occurred, a suspicion arose over the identities of the deceased," the spokesperson continued.

“This is an area where the soldiers encountered many terrorists, including suicide bombers."

He said the bodies were transferred to Israeli territory for examination where they were confirmed as Israeli hostages.

Hagari named two of the hostages as Samer Talalka, who was abducted from Nir Am, and Yotam Haim, taken by Hamas from the Kfar Aza region. Both were taken during Hamas' October 7 attack.

Alon Shamriz, 23, the third hostage, was not initially named on request of the family, before his name was issued this evening.

Israeli military tanks roll near the border with the Gaza Strip amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas, December 3, 2023
Israeli military tanks roll near the border with the Gaza Strip amid continuing battles between Israel and Hamas, December 3, 2023. Picture: Alamy

Read More: Israel approves crossing opening to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza

Read More: US and Israel ‘discuss scaling back Gaza combat but say fight will take months’

It is not yet clear if the three hostages mistakenly killed by the IDF had escaped imprisonment by Hamas or if they were already abandoned by the group.

Some reports in Israel said the three hostages had escaped and were heading towards IDF soldiers, but this was not yet confirmed by officials.

Hagari said the hostages were wearing similar clothing to locals in the Gaza Strip.

The spokesperson said the three hostages "appeared [to Israel's soldiers] to be terrorists because there were no good visuals on them, and they could have been wearing clothes that belonged to locals."

Hagari said the incident was now "under review" and stressed there would be "full transparency" in its investigation of the erroneous killings.

In his statement this evening, Hagari said: "The IDF expresses deep remorse over the tragic incident and sends the families its heartfelt condolences.

"Our national mission is to locate the missing and return all the hostages home."

Israeli soldiers are seen at a staging area near the Israeli-Gaza border, in southern Israel, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 (file image) (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Israeli soldiers are seen at a staging area near the Israeli-Gaza border, in southern Israel, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 (file image) (AP Photo/Leo Correa). Picture: Alamy

Read More: Ambush kills nine Israeli soldiers in Gaza City

Read More: Biden says Israel is losing global support over ‘indiscriminate bombing’ in Gaza

It comes after Israel's military earlier this week said it has recovered two bodies of hostages taken during Hamas's October 7 attack during an operation in Gaza today. Israel's officials identified the bodies as Eden Zakaria, 27, and Ziv Dado, 36.

Ms Zakaria was taken hostage by the Hamas-led attack at the Nova rave near Re’im, and had travelled to the festival with her boyfriend Ofek Kimchi, 23, who was killed in the attack.

Mr Dado was also killed during the October 7 onslaught. Israel had previously identified Mr Dado as a "fallen soldier held" by Hamas.

Following identification, Israel's officials informed Mr Dado and Ms Zakaria's families and have since returned their bodies home. The bodies were also examined by medical and rabbinical authorities.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Craig Revel Horwood

Craig Revel Horwood takes aim at fellow Strictly Come Dancing judges

Molly-Mae shared a sweet family snap of Tommy Fury and daughter Bambi

Is Molly-Mae back with Tommy Fury? Fans go wild over family photo fuelling reunion rumours

b

Mum of murdered teen Brianna Ghey considers mother of daughter's killer 'a friend' in amazing show of compassion

Adam Woodhouse has been jailed for multiple offences including cyber-flashing, arson with intent and stalking

'I will go to prison for murder': Domestic abuser who made woman's life 'hell' jailed - as victims urged to come forward

A police cordon in Elm Street, South Moor, Stanley, County Durham

Man in 50s shot dead in broad daylight in County Durham named locally

Dagenham

Firefighters battle blaze as vehicles and scrap metal catch fire at industrial estate

Ivan Juric, Manager of Southampton, looks dejected after the team's defeat and confirmed relegation

Southampton suffer earliest relegation in Premier League history after Tottenham defeat

Police at the scene in Elm Street, South Moor, Stanley, County Durham

Man in his 50s shot dead in County Durham in 'truly shocking incident'

Esme Baker, 10, and her father, Lee Baker, 48.

Pictured: Girl, 10, and father, 48, killed in caravan fire at holiday park in Lincolnshire

The scene in Beckenham Place Park in Lewisham, south-east London, after a teenager died after he "got into difficulty" in a lake.

Boy, 15, who died after 'getting into difficulty' while swimming in lake named by police

Keiron Charles

Two teenagers arrested after boy, 17, fatally stabbed in Shepherd's Bush

Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix 2025

Max Verstappen wins his first race of the season as he fends off Lando Norris at Japanese Grand Prix

A law that bans fake reviews and so called drip pricing for online shopping has come into force.

UK bans fake reviews and hidden fees in new law to protect online shoppers

Lucy Connolly was jailed for 31 months.

Tory councillor's wife who was jailed for inciting racial hatred after Southport attacks 'should be freed', says ex-PM

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said at last year's Budget that the move would raise £25 billion per year by 2029

Prices ‘pushed higher’ and warnings of job losses as National Insurance rise comes into effect

Video footage shows the convoy had emergency lights flashing when it was hit

Israel admits ‘mistakenly’ killing 15 aid workers after video leak contradicted official version of events