Israeli military report uncovers crucial shortcomings in mission to rescue erroneously slain hostages

The chief of Israel's army acknowledged that the mission to rescue three hostages in Gaza resulted in their mistaken deaths earlier this month. The military published its report into the incident on Thursday, and Herzi Halevi, the chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), stated that the shootings "could have been prevented." He also emphasized that there was "no malice" in the event and that the soldiers acted in the best of their understanding of the situation at that moment.

Hamas captured Yotam Haim, Alon Shamriz, and Samer Talalka on October 7 and brought them to Gaza. Tragically, the three men were accidentally killed during an IDF operation in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City on December 15, an incident that deeply affected Israeli society.

An investigation into their deaths revealed that Israeli command ranks were aware of the presence of hostages in the area where the men were killed and had taken measures to prevent strikes on suspected locations holding hostages.

The investigation also revealed that Israeli forces in the field lacked awareness of the possibility of encountering or being approached by hostages, outside of a specific operation to free Israeli captives. On December 15, an Israeli soldier shot at three individuals believed to be threats, resulting in the deaths of two of them. The third person fled, prompting the battalion commander to order a hold on firing in order to identify the individual.

The buildings where two of the fatal hostage shootings took place, according to the military

When the commander heard someone shouting "help" in Hebrew, he called for the person to approach the soldiers. The hostage then emerged from a building and moved towards the troops, the report stated. Due to noise from a nearby tank, two soldiers did not hear the commander's orders to hold fire and tragically shot the third hostage, as revealed in the investigation.

The probe also found that the hostages were walking without shirts, with one of them waving a white flag at a location that had limited visibility from the soldier's position when the shot was fired.

Leading up to the killing, the report stated that Israeli soldiers heard cries for help in Hebrew from a building while they were engaged in combat with Hamas gunmen. The soldiers believed it was an attempt to lure them into a trap. Additionally, a camera mounted on a military dog during the fight recorded the voices of the hostages crying for help.

On the same day, a note in Hebrew reading "Help" was discovered at the tunnel's exit, according to the report. Israeli soldiers believed it was an attempt by Hamas to entice them. On December 14, Israeli drone footage revealed signs that said "SOS" and "Help, 3 hostages" on a building located 200 meters (656 feet) from where the hostages were killed the following day, as stated in the report. The Israeli military suspected it was a trap after spotting blue barrels nearby, which it claims are often found in rigged areas.

Halevi, the IDF military chief, stated that the killing of the hostages was unwarranted and did not justify the risk of the situation.

He emphasized the importance of standard operating procedures in protecting their own forces and how they influence critical decisions, such as in this particular event.

Israeli soldiers in Gaza have been instructed to be more careful when dealing with individuals dressed in civilian clothing following the accidental killing of hostages, according to IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus in an earlier interview with CNN. Conricus emphasized the need for extra vigilance and an additional safety check before responding to any threats on the battlefield, acknowledging the difficult and challenging environment faced by the troops.

A trajectory analysis of one of the fatal shootings.

Israel Defense Forces

Who were the hostages?

All three hostages were young men - Haim and Shimriz were kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, while Talalka was taken near Kibbutz Nir Am. Talalka, 25, was the oldest of 10 children in Israel's Bedouin community. He lived in Hura and worked with his family at a chicken hatchery near Kibbutz Nir Am.

Earlier on October 7, Haim was at the chicken hatchery with his father when he called his sister to report being injured by terrorist gunfire. This report came from the Israeli Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, which indicated that the call was abruptly cut off. 28-year-old Haim, a talented drummer and heavy metal enthusiast, was set to perform with his band, Persephone, at a Metal Music Festival in Tel Aviv that day. He last spoke with his family on the morning of October 7, informing them that his house had burned down before suddenly losing contact with them at 10:44 a.m. It was shortly after this loss of communication that he was taken captive by Hamas, as reported by the family forum.

Less is known about Shimriz, but his family, like those of Talalka and Haim, had spoken publicly about their ordeal

Left: Yotam Haim, Right: Samer Talalka

IDF accidentally shoots and kills three Israelis held hostage in Gaza

Hostages and Missing Families Forum

Israeli military dog captured hostages voices on camera days before they were killed by friendly fire

Haim's mother, Iris, expressed her belief to Israel's Channel 11 that her son would return without the need to raise her voice to the government.

Recent negotiations to secure the release of over 100 hostages still held in Gaza by Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups have produced minimal results. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday during a meeting with the families of the hostages, "We are currently engaged in discussions, and we are working to ensure the safe return of everyone. Unfortunately, I cannot provide further details on the current status."

CNNs Tamar Michaelis, Richard Allen Greene and Joshua Berlinger contributed reporting.