Israeli military says its actions ‘influenced’ Hamas’ killing of hostages

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 new military investigation.

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 October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, were shot dead 48 to 72 hours before being found by Israeli forces, according to Health Ministry estimates.

The hostages were killed by their captors, the investigation found, and 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.

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“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 Wednesday (AEDT).

Talks between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of the 100 hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza are ongoing. Some 1200 Israelis and foreigners were killed by Hamas and other militants on Oct 7, 2024.

An Israeli negotiation team planned to return to Israel from Qatar for “internal consultations” regarding a hostage deal after a significant week of talks about Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.