REPORT: Soldiers Who Killed Hostages Were Not Told of Hebrew Sign for Help Due to Communication Failure

(VINnews) — New details have emerged about the tragic mistaken killing of three hostages by IDF soldiers. The Israeli Kan News outlet reported that there was a major failure of communication within the military, resulting in ground soldiers being unaware that innocent Israeli hostages were pleading for their lives.

The fact that the three hostages had hung a Hebrew sign that read “Help – three hostages” on one of the buildings was not conveyed to the Kfir Brigade’s 17th Battalion when they relieved another battalion in Shejaiya on Friday, according to the report. Presumably, that crucial information would have saved the lives of the hostages.

In addition, soldiers from the unit in the incident said that the sharpshooter who shot the first two hostages, Alon Shamriz and Samer Talalka, did not recognize the white cloth they were carrying.

In addition, he opened fire because he was told that the entire area north of the building from which the hostages emerged was a combat zone without IDF forces and therefore he was allowed to shoot at anyone suspicious.

The probe also found that the killing of the third hostage, Yotam Haim, was particularly egregious, since he managed to flee back into a nearby building after being shot along with the other two.

The battalion commander then shouted to hold their fire but one of the soldiers proceeded to shoot and kill Mr. Haim after he reappeared from the building a second time.

The report says that the marksman hit the first two hostages, and the third managed to run towards the building. Immediately after the shots were fired, the marksman yelled, “Terrorists!” The commander ordered the fire to stop because he decided to begin a raid on the building where the third hostage – who was still viewed as suspicious by the forces – had fled to.

The forces arrived at the building where the third hostage was, and from a few dozen meters away, they heard cries in Hebrew of, “save me.”

Despite this, the forces decided to attack the building, call out to the person within it to exit, and when he came out of the stairwell, at least one soldier fired towards him at close range.