I just checked the news this morning. I was hoping that what we learned last night was a mistake. Maybe they’re alive, I thought. Last night, as Elana and I were watching the Friday night news, the nation was informed of an unspeakable tragedy. Israeli Defense Forces mistakenly shot and killed three Israeli hostages inside of Gaza during a battle.
On Sunday night, November 19, when we spoke at the rally in London, calling for the release of all the hostages, we encountered two Israeli parents of hostages. The first was Thomas Hand, and seemingly miraculously, his daughter was released just a few days later. The other was the mother of Yotam Haim. She spoke through her tears, longing to be reunited with her son. Sadly, he was one of the hostages who was killed in the confusion.
The mourning announcements for Yotam Haim and Alon Shamriz posted by Shaar HaNegev, where they lived.
The ordinarily even-tempered IDF spokesman, Daniel Hagari, was visibly shaken as he shared last night about this “tragic incident.” He said that the IDF bears full responsibility. The fighting took place “in an area where the soldiers encountered many terrorists, including suicide bombers.”
Yotam Haim (28) and Alon Shamriz (26) were kidnapped from Kfar Aza, a kibbutz (collective farm) just about 20 minutes south from where I am writing right now in Ashkelon. Samer Tallaka (22), a Bedouin Arab who was also kidnapped on October 7th, was the third causality.
Kfar Aza is part of the Sha’ar HaNegev (Gateway to the Negev [Desert]) region—you have donated about $10,000 to the survivors from that region through Messiah’s Mandate. They are living in other communities, as all of the border communities of Gaza have been evacuated. I get WhatsApp texts from the acting director of Shaar HaNegev because the former mayor was murdered as he courageously confronted the terrorist invading his village. They released this statement this morning.
Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council Announcement:
The Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council expresses deep shock and sorrow over the tragic loss of Yotam Haim and Alon Lulu Shimriz from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, as well as Samer Tallaka, a worker from Nir Am. They were unintentionally shot during an operational mission within the Gaza Strip. Tonight, the council and social services department staff are present at community evacuation centers, offering support to the grieving families and the Kfar Aza community during this challenging time.
The entire Sha'ar Hanegev community stands united in sharing the profound sadness of Kfar Aza.
Let us collectively strive for the safe return of all those who are missing. May they rest in peace.
The country is collectively in shock. I spent most of the night in disbelief, trying to figure out a way thatay that this could not be true. But all roads led back to the reality that the three of them were mistaken as Hamas terrorists. As Hanukkah came to a close, a story that speaks of miracles, signs, and wonders, it would have been a beautiful ending to have rescued the three men. I cried out to God in anger last night and again this morning. Why? Why couldn’t they have been identified and rescued? Why did it end this way? Where were you?
The IDF spokesman said that they believe “the three fled or were abandoned by the terrorists who held them captive.” IDF forces were closing in on enemy positions. It is one thing to hold three men hostage in a home; it is far more challenging to take them on the run. It seems likely their abductors abandoned them, seeking to save their own lives.
Hagari said in his statement that “after the shooting, during a scan and examination, an immediate suspicion arose regarding the identity of the dead, and their bodies were quickly transferred for examination in Israel, where the hostages were identified.”
“This is a sad and painful event for all of us, and the IDF bears responsibility for everything that happened,” he continued. Hagari’s colleague, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, addressed the accidental killings with CNN yesterday. He explains that while seeking to learn lessons from the tragedy, Israeli forces have to deal with attacks or who come dressed in civilian clothes. It makes it very difficult to differentiate between civilians and terrorists. Hagari concluded his comments by saying, “The IDF expresses deep sorrow for the disaster and shares in the grief of the families. May their memory be blessed.”
Member of the War Cabinet Benny Gantz tweeted out:
Talalka was a member of Rahat, a Bedouin town. The mayor of Rahat, Ata Abu Madighem, shared some moving words.
“Bitter news: Bedouins and Jews were taken hostage together, managed to flee together in an effort to continue their lives — and ended their lives together in this very tragic event.”
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