Three Israeli hostages lost their lives in Gaza after mistakenly being shot by Israeli forces, even though they were holding a white flag. The heartbreaking episode unfolded in an area of fierce fighting, where Hamas militants often blend in with civilians, making it difficult to distinguish friend from foe.

According to the initial investigation, a soldier spotted the hostages without shirts, carrying a stick with a white cloth, just a short distance away from Israeli forces in the Shejaiya area. Feeling threatened, the soldier opened fire, mistakenly identifying them as terrorists, resulting in the immediate death of two hostages.

The third hostage, wounded and seeking safety, retreated into a nearby building, desperately calling for help in Hebrew. Despite a ceasefire order issued promptly by the battalion commander, another burst of gunfire towards the third figure tragically claimed his life. The military official stressed that these actions went against established rules of engagement.

The three hostages, identified on Friday as Yotam Haim and Alon Shamriz from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, and Samer Talalka from nearby Kibbutz Nir Am, were all abducted by Hamas on October 7th. This heart-wrenching incident underscores the challenges faced in distinguishing combatants from civilians in the midst of intense conflict, shedding light on the complexities of warfare in the region.

Must Read: Sad News: 3 Israelis Hostages Mistakenly Killed in Gaza Conflict by Israeli Forces