(Reuters): A military probe conducted by Israel has found that its actions had a "circumstantial influence" on Hamas militants' decision to murder six hostages in Gaza. The results, which provided insight into what happened in August, were released to the public on Tuesday.
Israel was outraged by the killings of the six hostages, including American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, after their remains were discovered in September. After the disclosure triggered massive protests, half a million people called on the Israeli government to negotiate a hostage solution with Hamas.
The hostages were first taken during an October 7, 2023, attack on Israel led by Hamas. They were killed 48 to 72 hours before Israeli forces retrieved their bodies, according to estimations from the health ministry.
The inquiry came to the conclusion that the captives' captors had put them to death. Despite being characterized as "gradual and cautious," the Israeli military's actions in the region had an indirect impact on the terrorists' choice to murder the hostages.
The military was unaware of the hostages' existence in the region beforehand, the report added. The search for and rescue of hostages held by Hamas is made more difficult by this lack of intelligence.
In response to the findings, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum emphasized the importance of dialogue. "The investigation released tonight shows yet again that the release of all hostages can only be achievable through a deal," the organization stated.
The goal of ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas is to secure the release of the roughly 100 captives who are still being held in Gaza. There is increasing pressure on both parties to come to a consensus.
The incident highlights the complexities and challenges of resolving hostage situations in a highly volatile conflict. The investigation’s findings underscore the delicate balance between military operations and the safety of captives.
