On the 15th, the Israeli military killed three civilian hostages, mistaking them for Hamas members, during a search operation in the Gaza Strip ruled by the Palestinian armed group Hamas. There is a huge backlash as it has been revealed that the dead people violated the rules of engagement and opened fire even though they had raised a white flag meaning ‘surrender’.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insisted that he had no plans to end the ground war in the Gaza Strip despite pressure from the international community, including the United States, was in ‘beleaguered state’. Public opinion is boiling not only within Israel but also in the UK and Germany, calling for “stop Hamas attacks and negotiate a cease-fire for the release of hostages.” The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 16th that the mistaken killing of a hostage could be an opportunity to reconsider Israel’s strategy in the Gaza Strip. As Israel’s promise to protect civilians has failed, new momentum will arise to pressure a ceasefire.
According to the Israeli military’s initial investigation results, Israeli men Yotam Haim (28), Samer Talalka (22), and Alon Shamriz (26) were found shirtless in a building in the Shezaiya area of Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip, on the night of the 15th. appeared without it. One of them was wearing a white robe on a tree branch, waving it and shouting in Hebrew, “Help me!” They emphasized that they were not Hamas members.
However, the Israeli military believed the three were Hamas members on a decoy operation and opened fire. Two people died instantly, and the other person took refuge in the building with gunshot wounds, but later died as shooting continued.
All three were kidnapped on October 7th of this year, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on Israel. Haim was a drummer in a heavy metal band, and Talalka was a groom-to-be scheduled to get married next summer. Shamriz was a student who wanted to study computer engineering.
The military disclosed the entire incident and admitted responsibility. Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi apologized in his statement, saying, “The entire military, including me, is responsible.”
However, senior military spokesman Daniel Hagari explained in a briefing, “The Shejaiya area is an area where many terrorists, including suicide bombers, are encountered.” Because Hamas members often attacked Israeli troops in civilian clothes, he was on high alert, and in the process, this disaster occurred.
Domestic and international public opinion calling for a ceasefire at the expense of civilians is increasing. On the 16th, in Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest city, thousands of people, including hostage families, took to the streets to protest calling for a ceasefire. Protesters said, “Time is running out. “Bring them (hostages) home,” he said, ordering the Netanyahu government to immediately negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas.
British Foreign Minister David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Verbock also wrote a joint article in the British Sunday Times on the same day, saying, “We must do everything possible to pave the way to a ceasefire. “The sooner the better,” he added.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a press conference on the same day, “My heart is broken,” and “We cannot turn back time.” “We will continue the ground war until Hamas is eradicated,” he said, dismissing calls for a ceasefire.
There are also significant differences of opinion between Israel and Hamas over the conditions for the release of hostages. Hamas is demanding that Israel stop attacking first and start negotiations later, but Israel says it cannot accept it. In addition, it is known that some of the 130 hostages are being held by another armed group, ‘Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)’, not Hamas, so it is not easy to control Hamas.
David Varnia, director of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, met with Qatari Prime Minister Muhammad bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Oslo, Norway, on the 15th, when the friendly fire occurred, to discuss the release of hostages. However, it is known that both sides did not achieve any significant results at this meeting.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.