Israeli military mistakenly kills hostages in Gaza demonstrations in Tel Aviv

New Delhi, Dec 16: Demonstrations erupted in Tel Aviv, demanding urgent action from the Israeli government to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza.

The protests were triggered by an incident where the Israeli military, in a case of mistaken identity, killed three hostages – Yotam Haim, Samer Talalka, and Alon Shamriz – wrongly identifying them as a "threat."

Hundreds of protestors gathered in Tel Aviv, bearing placards and candles, marching towards a military base. They appealed to the government to negotiate for the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas since October 7. The hostages' plight worsened during the IDF's ongoing ground offensive in northern Gaza, leading to the accidental killing of the three men.

Expressing "deep remorse," the IDF has launched an investigation into the incident. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the deaths as an "unbearable tragedy."

The offensive in Gaza persists, with reports of fighting in various regions where residents continue to suffer.

Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, West Bank.

The US is suggesting for a Palestinian-led authority to assume control in Gaza, supported by Arab countries, including forces from Jordan and Egypt. Sullivan proposed retraining 3,000 to 5,000 individuals in the West Bank to be deployed into Gaza, emphasizing the need to revamp the Palestinian Authority with a clear mandate for governance.

Local media suggests that the Palestinian Authority may be reluctant to assume control under present conditions, substituting Hamas fearing Israel's desire for a role post-withdrawal and the establishment of a two-kilometre buffer zone within the Gaza Strip.

Hamas breached Israel's heavily guarded perimeter on October 7, resulting in 1,200 casualties and the abduction of 240 hostages. Approximately 100 hostages remain captive. The health ministry in Gaza reports over 18,700 deaths and 50,000 injuries since the start of the Gaza conflict.

In a separate incident, Al Jazeera cameraman Samer Abudaqa lost his life yesterday in the southern city of Khan Younis violence. A funeral, attended by dozens of mourners and local journalists, was organized to honour his memory.