Netanyahu says Israel is as ‘committed as ever’ to war after soldiers mistakenly killed 3 hostages

Israeli troops mistakenly shot three hostages in the Gaza Strip. These hostages had been waving a white flag and were shirtless when they were killed. It was Israel’s first acknowledgment of harming hostages in its conflict with Hamas.

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed sorrow over the accidental killings but affirmed that Israel remains committed to its military campaign against Hamas and will continue until the conflict ends and all hostages are returned.

The incident is likely to increase pressure on the Israeli government to renew negotiations with Hamas for the release of remaining captives. However, Hamas insists that hostage releases will only happen after the war ends and Israel accepts their conditions for an exchange, which Israel rejects.

The Israeli military stated that the hostages likely had been abandoned by their captors or had escaped. The soldiers’ actions were deemed to be against the rules of engagement and were under investigation at the highest level.

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement of the population in Gaza. Israel and the U.S. have differing views on the future governance of Gaza, and the conflict remains ongoing, with both sides continuing military operations.

The conflict has been deadly for journalists, with several killed or wounded. Civilians, including women and children, have been displaced and are at risk in areas of house-to-house combat. The conflict has also disrupted communication and reporting from the Gaza Strip.

The United States remains Israel’s closest ally and has expressed concerns about civilian casualties but continues to provide support with weapons shipments and diplomatic backing. The U.S. seeks a unified Palestinian government in Gaza and the West Bank as a step toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.