An Israeli military investigation has found that the actions of its troops on the ground likely influenced Hamas’s killing of six hostages in Gaza in August.
It said that “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had some influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages.”
The investigation also found that the soldiers were unaware of the hostages’ presence when they began their operation in the Rafah area. The hostages’ bodies were later recovered.
The killings sparked outrage in Israel, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets demanding a ceasefire agreement from the government.
In late August, Israeli troops found the bodies in an underground shaft in the Tal al-Sultan area of Rafah. The military said they were killed just before soldiers reached them.
The investigation said Israel’s chief of staff “concluded that it was a painful and tragic event, with the extremely difficult outcome of the brutal murder of six hostages by Hamas.”
In a statement, the Forum for Hostages and Missing Families said the investigation once again proved that the return of all those captured by Hamas during its deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 is possible only through an agreement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is under increasing pressure. Critics say he did not do enough to secure the hostages’ release.
Israel responded to the Hamas attack with air strikes and a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, more than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed during the 14-month war between Israel and Hamas. According to the United Nations, nearly two million people – 90% of the population – have been displaced.
The United Nations and aid groups have described the humanitarian situation in the enclave as “apocalyptic” and repeatedly warned that people in Gaza were “on the brink of famine” – and accused Israel of deliberately obstructing aid deliveries – which Israel denies.
According to Israel, 251 Israelis and foreigners were arrested in the Hamas attack last year.
It is believed that 96 of them are still being held, with the remainder having been released, rescued or their remains recovered. Israel believes 62 are still alive. Four more hostages have been held since 2014 and 2015.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages continue.
Mr. Netanyahu recently said there had been “some progress” but he could not say when the talks would be completed. No breakthrough has been achieved so far – although Palestinian officials told the BBC they were close to an agreement.
