Israeli Army Investigation Reveals Possible Hostage Deaths in Khan Yunis
An investigation by the Israeli military has suggested that six Israeli hostages may have been killed during a raid in Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip. The raid, which took place on August 20, involved the extraction of the bodies of the hostages alongside six militants from a tunnel in the area. The military's findings, released on December 4, indicate that the hostages were found with gunshot wounds, while the militants showed no signs of gunfire.
The Israeli Air Force had conducted a precision strike on February 14, targeting Hamas leaders and infrastructure in Khan Yunis. The investigation concluded that there is a significant likelihood that the hostages' deaths were a direct result of this military operation. The Israeli army stated that had they been aware of the hostages' presence, they would have refrained from proceeding with the raid. Additionally, one theory posited by the military is that the hostages may have been killed by their captors during the airstrike.
Families of Hostages React to Investigation Findings
Families of the Israeli prisoners expressed their distress following the army's admission of potential responsibility for the deaths. Reports from Israeli Army Radio indicate that the families were informed by military officials that the raid led to the fatalities of the six hostages. The granddaughter of one of the deceased captives stated that the army extended an apology for this grave error.
In a related development, Hamas announced that 33 Israeli prisoners have been killed since October 2023, attributing most of these deaths to Israeli military actions across the Gaza Strip. The group has reiterated that any negotiations for a prisoner exchange must include a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the return of displaced individuals to their homes.
