Jerusalem: The Israeli navy introduced that, in keeping with an inner investigation, three hostages have been most likely killed in November on account of an airstrike focusing on a senior Hamas commander.
The investigation’s findings spotlight the precarious circumstances of hostages within the Gaza Strip, who — like Palestinian civilians — are weak to Israel’s ongoing navy operations within the territory. The findings additionally counsel that senior Hamas officers, together with Yahya Sinwar, probably the most highly effective determine within the group, might encompass themselves with hostages, as US and Israeli officers have stated.
In its assertion, the Israeli navy stated it was “extremely possible” that the hostages, Corporal Nik Beizer, Sergeant Ron Sherman and Elia Toledano, have been killed “on account of a byproduct” of an Israeli navy strike focusing on Ahmed al-Ghandour, commander of Hamas’ navy wing in northern Gaza.
The navy stated it was presenting “a high-probability evaluation” based mostly on the place the hostages’ our bodies have been present in December, in addition to intelligence supplies, an evaluation of the strike, pathological studies and the conclusions of forensic examiners. Definitively figuring out the reason for their deaths, the navy stated, was not attainable.
“The IDF shares within the grief of the households over the devastating loss,” the navy stated.
The three slain hostages, the investigation indicated, have been in a tunnel advanced utilized by al-Ghandour, a prime official whose demise Hamas later acknowledged. The Israeli navy stated it had data on the time suggesting that the three hostages have been in one other place.
A gaggle representing households of hostages stated the investigation’s conclusions illustrated “the extreme danger to the lives of the hostages in captivity.”
“Every passing second endangers them additional,” the Hostages Households Discussion board stated in an announcement. “We all know the hostages are held in inhumane circumstances, tortured by Hamas and disadvantaged of fundamental human rights.”