IDF’s 828th Brigade Releases Preliminary Investigation into Killing of Three Israeli Hostages in Gaza

The IDF’s 828th Brigade has recently concluded its preliminary investigation into the tragic killing of three Israeli hostages by IDF combat soldiers in Shejaia, located in the Gaza Strip. The investigation sheds light on the circumstances leading to this unfortunate incident.

According to the investigation report, on the morning of the incident, soldiers stationed in Shejaia received new instructions to exercise caution and open fire on any man of fighting age who approached them. The change in protocol was prompted by several previous instances where terrorists disguised in civilian clothes were able to get close to soldiers and launch attacks.

The 17th Battalion, which was involved in the shooting, reported that they had come under fire from terrorists who had taken refuge in a school and were using the civilian population as cover. Additionally, the battalion commander was informed about an armed man in civilian attire who had blown himself up in a suicide bombing after approaching IDF soldiers the day before.

How the Tragic Killing Unfolded

On the morning of the accidental killing, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a combat soldier stationed on the third floor of a building, which had been thoroughly searched and cleared for IDF operations, noticed silhouettes and heard footsteps in a nearby building. Mistakenly identifying the three individuals as “terrorists,” who were later identified as the hostages kidnapped on October 7, the soldier opened fire, hitting two of them, while the third managed to escape to a nearby building.

Upon hearing the escaping man shouting in Hebrew, the battalion commander and other soldiers in the building immediately ordered a ceasefire. They instructed the third hostage, whose identity was still unknown at the time, to leave the area. While the commander approached and reiterated the order to stop firing, the soldiers maintained caution, fearing a possible attack.

However, in a critical moment, a soldier observing the situation fired a single bullet, hitting the escaping hostage. Another soldier in the same position also opened fire, mistakenly perceiving him as the enemy. The investigation revealed that these two soldiers did not hear the commander’s order to stop firing as they were on a different floor.

Following the tragic shooting of the three hostages, the battalion commander, still concerned about the potential for further attacks, directed the soldiers to fire at possible points of danger in the area. Together with the company commander, he led a search of the building where the hostages were located, while a bomb disposal squad was brought in to check for and disarm any explosives.

It was during this search that the soldiers discovered the “Western appearance” of one of the deceased individuals, leading them to realize that they had unintentionally killed three Israeli hostages. Interestingly, only one soldier had initially noticed the white flag the hostages had waved and the distress messages inscribed on their building, while the rest of the soldiers only discovered these signs during subsequent searches in the area.