Israel Admits It Killed Captives, Netanyahu Says ‘We Are Committed As Ever’ (image-instagram/mahmoudhamda)
Israel forces mistakenly killed three Israel hostages in Gaza who were shirtless and one of them holding up a white flag, as per the initial inquiry of the incident, military official said on Saturday.
Prime Minister Netanyahu addressing the nation about the killing said, “broke my heart, broke the entire nation’s heart” but affirmed that no changes will be made in Israel’s intensive military campaign. “We are as committed as ever to continue until the end, until we dismantle Hamas, until we return all our hostages,” he said.
This incident has led to widespread of anger and increased pressure on Israel government to renew Qatar-mediated negotiations with Hamas over swapping more of the remaining captives. As per Israel, 129 hostages are still held captives in Gaza by the militant group.
Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official, Osman Hamdan asserted that there will be no further captive exchanges until the war ends. Netanyahu said Israel would never agree to such demands.
The killing of the captives also raised questions about Israel soldiers conduct as Palestinians on several occasions have said Israeli soldiers opened fire as civilians tried to flee to safety.
The war has flattened much of northern Gaza and has driven 85% of the territory’s population of 2.3 million from their homes. Only a trickle of aid entered Gaza as of now and the Israel has said that it would open a second entry point at Kerem Shalom to speed up deliveries, reports AP.
The offensive in Gaza has killed more than 18,700 Palestinians, as per the Health Ministry report. The UN has reported that an ongoing blackout of communication and internet services has made it difficult to access information from Gaza. As per their latest update, heavy Israel bombardment continues to strike across Gaza from air, land and sea along with intense airstrikes reported in Khan Younis and Gaza city. Israeli forces, including tanks, have reportedly surrounded Al Awda hospital in northern Gaza, with two floors of the hospital reportedly hit, reports Al Jazeera.
The war has been deadly for journalists. Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abudaqa who was killed in one of the Israel strike was laid to rest in Khan Younis in Gaza on Saturday. Al Jazeera bureau chief Wael al Dahdouh was also injured in the attack. Samar while reporting from a UN-run school was hit by shrapnel. After being injured, he was left to bleed to death over a period of over five hours as Israeli forces prevented ambulances and rescue workers from reaching him. The Al Jazeera Media Networks said that they will refer the killing of their cameraman Samer in Gaza to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
