High Probability: 3 Hostages Accidentally Killed in November Airstrike

On September 15, the Israeli military announced the conclusion of an investigation concerning the deaths of three Israeli hostages during an airstrike carried out in November. The airstrike targeted a senior Hamas official, the chief of a brigade in northern Gaza, and resulted in what officials termed a “high probability” that the hostages were killed in the attack.

The families of the three individuals were informed last week by representatives of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) about the findings of the comprehensive inquiry, which indicated that the hostages died as a result of IDF actions. Information about the investigation’s results began to filter out, coming from both IDF officials and the families of the hostages.

The hostages—Col. Nik Beizer and Sgt. Ron Sherman, both 19 years old, alongside Elia Toledano, a 28-year-old French-Israeli civilian—were abducted by Hamas on October 7. Following their abduction, the IDF had initially suggested that the hostages were killed by their captors. However, in January, the military dismissed Hamas’s claim that the hostages were killed during an Israeli airstrike.

The investigation determined that the three hostages, with a high probability, died as a result of collateral damage from a specific airstrike conducted on November 10 aimed at Ahmed Ghandour, a Hamas official who was believed to be hiding in a tunnel.

The military stated, “At the time of the strike, the IDF did not have information about the presence of hostages in the targeted compound. Furthermore, there was information suggesting that they were located elsewhere, leading to the area not being classified as one where hostages were suspected to be present.”

Substantiating this conclusion were various pieces of evidence, including the locations where the bodies were eventually recovered, their condition at the time, a pathological report, findings from the state’s forensic institute, and operational research related to the battlefield situation and activity.

On December 14, three bodies were discovered in a tunnel in Jabaliya, which contained not only the bodies but also extensive facilities including command centers, medical stations, and areas designated for weapon manufacturing. Initial indications had suggested that the hostages had been killed by Hamas, a narrative that was later challenged by the IDF’s findings.

The mothers of the fallen soldiers have expressed their desire for a comprehensive account of their sons’ deaths, as the uncertainty surrounding the events has left them seeking clarity about how the tragedy unfolded.

In December, the IDF confirmed finding five bodies of hostages, three of whom are believed to have been killed in the November airstrike. Two additional individuals, Eden Zakaria and Ziv Dado, were also among the deceased. The families of the victims have been forced to deal with the ambiguity of the situation, particularly as a video released by Hamas showcased the living hostages, who were seen holding up signs with their personal information.

In the accompanying statement, Hamas claimed, “They tried to keep them alive – but Netanyahu insisted on killing them,” attributing the deaths to Israeli military actions. In the recent past, the Israeli military has faced significant scrutiny over previous operations that mistakenly resulted in hostage deaths. In one such incident, three additional hostages—Yotum Haim, Samar Talalka, and Alon Shamriz—were killed after being misidentified as threats during an operation.

Despite the tragic outcomes, the IDF continues to face challenges surrounding its operations in Gaza, with ongoing efforts to locate and secure the release of the remaining estimated 101 hostages still held by Hamas. The evolving nature of this conflict has deeply affected many families, who continue to hold out hope for a resolution.

Source: UPI