Israel: ‘High Probability’ Airstrike Killed 3 Hostages in Gaza Last November

On Sunday, the Israeli military reported a significant revelation regarding the deaths of three hostages who were found dead months ago. The investigation concluded that there is a “high probability” they were killed in an Israeli airstrike.

The army shared its findings on the deaths of Cpl. Nik Beizer, Sgt. Ron Sherman, and Elia Toledano. According to the report, these individuals were likely killed during a November airstrike that targeted a senior Hamas militant, Ahmed Ghandour.

The trio was kidnapped during Hamas’s assault on October 7. Their bodies were discovered in December, but the exact cause of death remained unclear until now.

The military stated that the determination regarding the hostages’ deaths was based on various factors, including the locations where the bodies were found, pathological analyses, and other intelligence sources. However, they cautioned that it is not possible to definitively ascertain the circumstances surrounding their fatalities.

This announcement places added pressure on the Israeli government to pursue negotiations aimed at securing the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas. Critics have voiced concerns, claiming that the situation is both too perilous and complicated for a successful rescue operation.

In late November, Israel reported the recovery of six hostages it claims were killed by Hamas shortly before Israeli forces arrived in the area. This tragic discovery raised new waves of grief and protest withinIsrael, prompting public outcry against the government’s handling of the hostage situation.

This development marks the first time the military has explicitly connected hostages’ deaths to airstrikes. Previously, the military had attributed the fatalities of recovered bodies to various circumstances, including killings on October 7, deaths during captivity, or killings perpetrated by militants.

In December, the military acknowledged a grave error in which three hostages were mistakenly killed by Israeli fire after managing to escape Hamas captivity in a conflict-ridden area of Gaza City. The army had believed these individuals had either fled from their captors or had been left behind.

Approximately 250 hostages were taken during the initial Hamas attack on October 7. Currently, Israel estimates that 101 hostages remain detained, with 35 presumed dead. A significant number of hostages, more than 100, were released during a cease-fire agreement in November, which included the exchange of released Palestinians for the hostages.

In addition, eight hostages have been recovered by Israeli operations, contributing to the complex situation surrounding the ongoing conflict.

The hostages’ plight continues to stir public emotion and urgent calls for action, leaving families and communities searching for answers and resolution amid the chaos of ongoing hostilities.

Source: Associated Press