An investigation conducted by the Kan public broadcaster has uncovered critical lapses in the IDF’s operation that led to the fatal shooting of three hostages last Friday.

Key among the findings is that the IDF battalion involved in the incident was not adequately informed by the unit it was replacing. The outgoing unit had observed a Hebrew sign on one of the buildings at the scene, which read “Help – three hostages,” but this vital piece of information was not relayed to the incoming battalion.

Further, the investigation determined that the IDF sharpshooter responsible for the deaths of the first two hostages, Alon Shamriz and Samar Talalka, failed to recognize the white cloth they were carrying as a sign of surrender or distress. The sniper had been briefed at the start of his shift that the entire area was designated as a combat zone, and he was authorized to open fire on any suspicious figures.

The circumstances surrounding the death of the third hostage, Yotam Haim, are particularly distressing. After being shot alongside Shamriz and Talalka, Haim managed to retreat into a nearby building. The battalion commander then gave orders to cease fire, but despite this, one of the soldiers shot and killed Haim when he re-emerged from the structure.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)