An investigation by the Israeli military concluded that the actions of its forces on the ground likely influenced the killing of six hostages in Gaza in August by Hamas.
She added, “The ground movements in the area, although they were slow and cautious, had a circumstantial impact on the terrorists' decision to kill the six hostages.”
The investigation also found that the soldiers were not aware of the presence of the hostages when they began their operation in the Rafah area. The hostages' bodies were later recovered.
The killings sparked anger in Israel, as hundreds of thousands took to the streets, demanding that the government reach a ceasefire agreement.
In late August, Israeli forces found bodies in an underground well in the Tal al-Sultan area of Rafah. The army said they were killed before soldiers reached them.
The investigation said that the Israeli Chief of General Staff “concluded that this was a painful and tragic event, the extremely difficult result of which was the brutal killing of six hostages by Hamas.”
The Forum for Hostages and Families of Missing Persons said in a statement that the investigation has proven once again that the return of all those captured by Hamas during its deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel will only be possible through a deal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is facing mounting pressure, with critics saying he has not done enough to secure the hostages' release.
Israel responded to the Hamas attack by launching air strikes and a ground attack on the Gaza Strip.
The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says more than 45,000 Palestinians were killed during the 14-month-old war between Israel and Hamas. Nearly two million people, or 90% of the population, have been displaced, according to the United Nations.
The United Nations and relief agencies have described the humanitarian situation in the Strip as “appalling” and warned on several occasions that Gazans are on the “brink of famine” – accusing Israel of deliberately obstructing aid deliveries – something Israel denies.
According to Israel, 251 Israelis and foreigners were captured in a Hamas attack last year.
Ninety-six of them are believed to still be detained, while the rest have been released, rescued or have their remains recovered. Israel believes that 62 of them are still alive. Four other hostages have been taken since 2014 and 2015.
Indirect negotiations continue between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and secure the release of the remaining hostages.
Netanyahu recently said that “some progress” had been made but that he could not say when the talks would conclude. No progress has been made so far, although Palestinian officials told the BBC that they are very close to reaching an agreement.
