IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari issued a statement to the press this evening (Thursday) which included reference to the findings of the investigation into the deaths of three of the hostages from friendly fire.
“During the day, we presented the families with the Chief of Staff’s investigation into the circumstances of the hostages’ deaths. In war there are very serious incidents. In this event, we conducted an in-depth operational inquiry during the war for there are more hostages in the field, and we must learn lessons as quickly as possible,” he said. “Alon Samar, and Yotam ob”m – each of them is a world entire. We are responsible for what happened.”
“We presented all the findings we had while striving for the truth, even when it is very hard. Shejaiya is a war zone full of terrorists, bombs, and weapons. The hostages were held in a tunnel, and due to the ground action, the terrorists who held them came from underground and moved to a safe house. During the activity there was no intelligence on the presence of the hostages in the structure.”
He also noted that “IDF soldiers faced complex combat situations in the days before the incident, and were in a high level of awareness and readiness for threats. During the battles, they encountered deceptions and traps. The Chief of Staff determined that the shooting of the hostages didn’t have to happen, but it was carried out in complex circumstances and under ongoing threat.”
“The inquiry taught us more than anything of the bravery, resourcefulness, and heroism of Alon, Smar, and Yotam ob”m. In a war zone full of dangers, they acted attempting to do everything they could to signal us that they are in the area,” he summarized. “Events in war invite inconceivable situations and very difficult decisions made in the field. We will investigate ourselves thoroughly when the operational situation allows it, but right now – we will continue to fight cruel Hamas, in order to achieve the goals of the war. We have no other way except learning and improving with determination.”
