Tel Aviv roars with hundreds demanding release of hostages after tragic IDF blunder
According to the Times of Israel, the protesters marched towards the headquarters of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). They were heard chanting, "Their time is coming to an end! Release them!" and "There will be no victory until every hostage is freed!"
12:39 PM EST, December 16, 2023
Demonstrations flood Tel Aviv
Earlier on Friday, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, disclosed that during confrontations in Gaza, Israeli soldiers had unintentionally shot and killed three Hamas hostages who had either escaped or had been left behind by terrorists.
The hostages were mistaken as a threat by Israeli soldiers, leading to them being shot and killed on the spot. As stated by the spokesperson, suspicions about the identities of those killed arose immediately after the shooting. Their bodies were swiftly sent to Israel for examination, where they were identified as the hostages.
The Times of Israel points out that the anguish among the family members of the hostages has intensified in recent days, following reports suggesting the government is withholding from initiating proposals for a deal with Hamas regarding the prisoners.
Such hesitation is attributed to the belief that only ongoing IDF operations in the Gaza Strip will compel Hamas to return to negotiation, presenting an offer that Israel might accept.
