The three hostages had fled the terror group and were running toward IDF soldiers
Israel said Friday that its troops killed three escaped hostages after mistaking them for Hamas terrorists during combat in Gaza.
Israel Defense Forces posted to X, explaining that the mistake happened during fighting in Shejaiya, a neighborhood in Gaza City. The victims had reportedly escaped captivity and were running toward Israeli troops, who then shot them.
"During a scan and inspection of the area of the incident, a suspicion arose regarding the identity of the dead. The bodies were taken for examination in Israeli territory, after which it turned out that they were three Israeli abductees," the IDF statement said.
The victims were named as Yotam Haim, 28, kidnapped from Kfar Aza on Oct. 7 and Samer Talalka, 24, a resident of the Bedouin town of Rahat, who was kidnapped from Nir Am.
“Such bitter news: Bedouins and Jews were taken hostage together, managed to flee together in an effort to continue their lives — and ended their lives together in this very tragic event,” Mayor of Rahat Ata Abu Madighem told Army Radio.
A short while after the first two names were announced, the third victim was named as Alon Lulu Shamriz by the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council. The 26-year-old was a computer engineering student.
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The IDF said it would begin investigating the incident.
"This is a combat zone where there have been many incidents in recent days. Immediate lessons from the event are now being passed on to all the fighting forces in the field," the statement continued.
"The IDF expresses deep sorrow for the incident and shares in the grief of the families. The IDF will continue to act in all efforts to return the abductees home."
Yotam Haim lived just over 1 mile from the border with Gaza when Hamas terrorists arrived on Oct. 7. He managed to get a video to his family via WhatsApp before militants took him.
In October, his mother described him as a "very special person," who she hoped would stay strong in captivity.
Yotam was a drummer with the band Persephore. In a post to Instagram Thursday, the band vowed to do all it could to bring him home.
Samer Talalka was captured from Kibbutz Nir Am on Oct. 7.
He was working in the hatchery, where he often did the weekend shifts.
His father said last week that Samer was due to get married this coming summer and had begun building a house close to his.