An investigation into the deaths of three Israeli hostages found in underground tunnels in Gaza concluded that they were likely killed in a military airstrike targeting a Hamas commander. The hostages, Nik Beizer, Ron Sherman, and Elia Toledano, were being held in a tunnel where the commander was operating when the strike occurred. The IDF stated that at the time of the strike, they did not have information about the hostages’ presence in the compound. The investigation determined that the hostages’ deaths were a “byproduct” of the airstrike, based on various factors including intelligence reports and the location where their bodies were found.
Beizer and Sherman were both members of the Israeli military, with Sherman serving near a Gaza border crossing when he was abducted by Hamas. Their deaths have sparked protests in Israel, with citizens calling for a cease-fire deal and directing anger towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The investigation’s findings also revealed that six other hostages were killed by Hamas, with more than 100 still remaining in Gaza.
The families of hostages still held in Gaza have criticized Netanyahu for prioritizing his political agenda over the lives of their loved ones. The IDF estimated that 101 hostages remain in Gaza, with some being rescued or found dead in the months following the failed cease-fire deal. The investigation’s conclusion adds another layer of sadness to the already tragic situation for the families and Israel’s government.
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