The southern front:
Tragedy in the Gaza Strip: Three Israelis who were kidnapped by Hamas were accidentally shot by IDF forces yesterday. Apparently, the hostages escaped or were abandoned by their captors, were near the fighting zone in Shajaya, and were accidentally shot after being mistakenly identified as terrorists. According to a preliminary investigation the three came out of a building with a white flag, two of them were shot, and the third ran to the building and shouted "help" in Hebrew. The battalion commander ran to him and ordered the soldiers to hold fire, but the hostage was shot by a soldier who thought it was an ambush.
Despite the legitimate fear of ambush, the IDF spokesman clarified that the shooting was done in violation of the army's protocols of engagement.
The name of the soldier killed this morning on the northern border by a remotely-manned, airborne IED was released for publication: HYD
• The hostages killed by friendly fire: Chief of General Staff Hertzi Halevi commented on the incident this evening, saying, "The IDF and I, as the Commanding Officer, are responsible for what happened." He added, "The shooting was not according to the IDF's rules of engagement, however it was during combat and a stressful situation."
After a few days of fighting, the IDF and Shin Bet announced the completion of military activity in the area of the "Kamal Adwan" hospital in Jabaliya. In the compound, which was used by Hamas, dozens of terrorists were killed and 90 more were arrested and taken for questioning. Many weapons, technological equipment, and Hamas intelligence documents were found there.
The northern front:
During Shabbat, several alerts were sounded at the northern border due to rockets and a suspected infiltration of hostile aircraft. Two people were injured indirectly as a result of the infiltration. The IDF attacked a series of Hezbollah targets including launch sites, military buildings and terrorist infrastructure.
The Iron Dome system intercepted two missiles earlier this evening in the Tiberias area, in the Lower Galilee.
In Israel:
Following the accidental death of the three hostages, families of hostages accompanied by thousands of others held a demonstration in front of the Kirya in Tel Aviv, calling for an immediate deal. They are now issuing a statement to that effect.
On a positive note:
Employees of the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) planted 38 trees in honour of the children returned from Hamas captivity. KKL-JNF Chair Ifat Ovadia-Luski said, "Planting for the children who returned from captivity symbolizes rebirth and emphasizes life, growth and continuity. We reserve two planting spots for the children of the Bibas family, and wish a quick return for its children and the rest of the kidnapped."
The southern front:
Fighters of the Brigade Combat Team of the 401st Brigade and the 13th Fleet raided schools in the Gaza Strip, eliminated terrorists, and arrested many terrorists who surrendered. In Khan Yunis, IDF fighters raided operational Hamas apartments, found military equipment and underground infrastructure.
Master Sergeant (res.) Tomer Shlomo Myara, 28, from Netanya was killed in a battle in the northern Gaza Strip. May his family find comfort among the nation he served to protect.
Tragedy in the Gaza Strip: Three Israelis who were kidnapped by Hamas were accidentally shot by IDF forces yesterday. Apparently, the hostages escaped or were abandoned by their captors, were near the fighting zone in Shajaya, and were accidentally shot after being mistakenly identified as terrorists. According to a preliminary investigation the three came out of a building with a white flag, two of them were shot, and the third ran to the building and shouted "help" in Hebrew. The battalion commander ran to him and ordered the soldiers to hold fire, but the hostage was shot by a soldier who thought it was an ambush.
Despite the legitimate fear of ambush, the IDF spokesman clarified that the shooting was done in violation of the army's protocols of engagement.
The bodies of the fallen hostages were identified in Israel as Yotam Haim from Kfar Aza, Samer Fouad al-Talalka from Hura in the Negev, and Alon Lulu Shamriz from Kfar Aza. may their memories be a blessing.
The name of the soldier killed this morning on the northern border by a remotely-manned, airborne IED was released for publication:
- First Sergeant (res.) Yehezkel Azaria, 53 years old, from Petach Tikva, a soldier in the Armored Corps, HYD
• Also publicized this evening was the news of the murder of Inbar Hayman, 27 years old from Haifa, who was kidnapped to Gaza from the party in Re'im on Simchat Torah.
• The hostages killed by friendly fire: Chief of General Staff Hertzi Halevi commented on the incident this evening, saying, "The IDF and I, as the Commanding Officer, are responsible for what happened." He added, "The shooting was not according to the IDF's rules of engagement, however it was during combat and a stressful situation."
After a few days of fighting, the IDF and Shin Bet announced the completion of military activity in the area of the "Kamal Adwan" hospital in Jabaliya. In the compound, which was used by Hamas, dozens of terrorists were killed and 90 more were arrested and taken for questioning. Many weapons, technological equipment, and Hamas intelligence documents were found there.
The northern front:
During Shabbat, several alerts were sounded at the northern border due to rockets and a suspected infiltration of hostile aircraft. Two people were injured indirectly as a result of the infiltration. The IDF attacked a series of Hezbollah targets including launch sites, military buildings and terrorist infrastructure.
The Iron Dome system intercepted two missiles earlier this evening in the Tiberias area, in the Lower Galilee.
In Israel:
Following the accidental death of the three hostages, families of hostages accompanied by thousands of others held a demonstration in front of the Kirya in Tel Aviv, calling for an immediate deal. They are now issuing a statement to that effect.
On a positive note:
Employees of the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) planted 38 trees in honour of the children returned from Hamas captivity. KKL-JNF Chair Ifat Ovadia-Luski said, "Planting for the children who returned from captivity symbolizes rebirth and emphasizes life, growth and continuity. We reserve two planting spots for the children of the Bibas family, and wish a quick return for its children and the rest of the kidnapped."
Employees of the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) planted 38 trees in honour of the children returned from Hamas captivity. KKL-JNF Chair Ifat Ovadia-Luski said, "Planting for the children who returned from captivity symbolizes rebirth and emphasizes life, growth and continuity. We reserve two planting spots for the children of the Bibas family, and wish a quick return for its children and the rest of the kidnapped."