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26-12-2024
JERUSALEM: The actions of the Israeli military had a “circumstantial influence” on a decision by Hamas militants to kill six hostages in Gaza in August, according to a military investigation published on Tuesday.
The recovery in September of the bodies of six Israeli hostages, including American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, triggered deep shock in Israel, prompting half a million people to stage street protests demanding the government enter a hostage deal with Hamas.
The six, seized by Palestinian militants during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, were shot dead 48-72 hours before being found by Israeli forces, according to health ministry estimates.
The hostages were killed by their captors, the investigation found, and that the Israeli military’s activity “in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence” on the militants’ decision to carry out the killings.
The military had no prior intelligence about the presence of the six hostages in the area, the investigation found.
“The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement on Tuesday.
Talks between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of the 100 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza are ongoing.
An Israeli negotiation team plans to return to Israel from Qatar on Tuesday evening for “internal consultations” regarding a hostage deal after a significant week of talks about Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.
What did the Israeli investigation find?
An Israeli military investigation into the deaths of the six hostages identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino revealed that the advancement of Israeli ground forces prompted Hamas to “murder them”.
Following the army’s statement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged swift action to secure the release of all remaining hostages. They called for a clear agreement ensuring the return of hostages within a set timeframe.
“The time has come to bring back all the hostages. We need a deal that will ensure the return of all hostages within a quick and predetermined timeframe,” said the group in a statement.
Israeli “ground activities in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence on the terrorists’ decision to murder the six hostages,” the army said in a statement on Tuesday (Dec 24).
Ceasefire negotiations in the works
Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and the release of hostages continue in Doha, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.
Israeli negotiators recently returned from Qatar after what Netanyahu’s office described as a “significant” round of talks.
On Monday, Netanyahu also informed parliament that there had been “some progress” in the discussions.
Hamas and other Palestinian groups have also reported advancements toward a ceasefire.
The war began on October 7, sparked by a Hamas attack on Israel that claimed 1,208 lives and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, 96 of which still remain in captivity in Gaza.
Israeli officials claim that 34 of these hostages are deceased. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
