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An Israeli military investigation has found that the actions of its army on the ground may have played a role in the killing of six prisoners in Gaza in August by Hamas.
It also said that “the events taking place in the area, albeit slowly and cautiously, had an influence on the terrorist’s decision to kill the six hostages”.
The investigation also found that the soldiers were not aware of the hostages when they began their operation in the Rafah area. Later, the bodies of the hostages were recovered.
The killing sparked outrage in Israel, where thousands of people took to the streets to demand that the government implement a ceasefire agreement.
In late August, Israeli soldiers found the bodies in an underground river in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah. The soldiers said that they were killed before the soldiers could reach them.
The investigation said the Israeli military commander “said that this was a painful and tragic event, with the most serious consequences of the brutal killing of six people who were captured by Hamas”.
In its statement, The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said that the investigation also confirmed that the return of all those who were captured by Hamas during the massacre of 7 October 2023 in Israel can only be achieved through cooperation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has come under increasing pressure, with critics saying it has not done enough to secure the release of the hostages.
Israel responded to the Hamas attack by launching airstrikes and attacks on the Gaza Strip.
More than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed in the 14-month war between Israel and Hamas, Gaza’s health ministry has said. About 2m people – 90% of the population – have been displaced, according to the UN.
The UN and aid agencies have described the situation in the group as “apocalyptic” and have repeatedly warned that the people of Gaza are “close to starvation” – accusing Israel of deliberately withholding aid – which Israel denies.
According to Israel, 251 Israelis and foreigners were captured in Hamas attacks last year.
Ninety-six of them are believed to have been preserved, and the rest have been released, rescued or their remains have been found. Sixty-two are believed by Israel to still be alive. Four more people have been arrested since 2014 and 2015.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of those who remain are continuing.
Mr Netanyahu recently said that “something has happened” but would not say when the talks would end. So far nothing has been achieved – although Palestinian officials have told the BBC they are very close to reaching an agreement.
