Israeli military says its actions ‘influenced’ Hamas’ killing of hostages
By Emily Rose
Jerusalem: The actions of the Israeli military had a “circumstantial influence” on a decision by Hamas militants to kill six hostages in Gaza in August, according to a new military investigation.
The recovery in September of the bodies of six Israeli hostages, including American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, triggered deep shock in Israel, prompting half a million people to stage street protests demanding the government enter a hostage deal with Hamas.
People dressed as US President-elect Donald Trump, right, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, demand the Israeli government bring the hostage home from Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel.Credit: AP
The six, seized by Palestinian militants during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, were shot dead 48 to 72 hours before being found by Israeli forces, according to Health Ministry estimates.
The hostages were killed by their captors, the investigation found, and Israeli military’s activity “in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence” on the militants’ decision to carry out the killings.
The military had no prior intelligence about the presence of the six hostages in the area, the investigation found.
“The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement on Wednesday (AEDT).
Talks between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of the 100 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza are ongoing. Some 1200 Israelis and foreigners were killed by Hamas and other militants on October 7, 2024.
An Israeli negotiation team planned to return to Israel from Qatar for “internal consultations” regarding a hostage deal after a significant week of talks about Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have killed at least eight Palestinians in raids on a refugee camp near the city of Tulkarm in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian and Israeli officials said.
Khawla Abdo, a 53-year-old woman, was killed as a result of shelling by Israeli forces at dawn, while Fathi Saeed Odeh Salem, an 18-year-old man, died after being shot in the abdomen and chest, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Another Palestinian woman died due to sustained injuries from the attack.
Palestinian scouts carry posters, one reads “Peace for Gaza and its people,” during a Christmas Eve march at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally recognised by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.Credit: AP
On Wednesday, the Health Ministry updated its death toll to eight after a new round of shelling in Tulkarm by Israeli forces.
Hamas’ armed wing al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement two of its members were killed by Israeli forces in Tulkarm.
The Israeli military said earlier it killed one Palestinian in a counter-terrorism operation in Tulkarm, while its forces arrested 18 other wanted individuals and confiscated dozens of weapons.
Late on Tuesday, the military also said aircraft had struck armed militants in the Nur Shams refugee camp.
Hundreds of Palestinians and dozens of Israelis have been killed in the West Bank during the Gaza war. Israel’s bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians.
The official Palestinian news agency WAFA said Israeli forces prevented ambulance crews from reaching Salem by opening fire on them.
Bulldozers also demolished infrastructure in Tulkarm camp, including homes, shops, part of the walls of Al-Salam mosque, which they barricaded off, and part of the camp’s water network, it said.
Reuters