Israeli military actions had 'influence' on Hamas' killing of six hostages

25/12/2024 6:23

The actions of the Israeli military had a "circumstantial influence" on a decision by Hamas militants to kill six hostages in Gaza in August, according to a military investigation published on Tuesday.



The recovery in September of the bodies of six Israeli hostages, including American-Israeli Hersh Goldberg-Polin, triggered deep shock in Israel, prompting half a million people to stage street protests demanding the government enter a hostage deal with Hamas.



The six, seized by Palestinian militants during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, were shot dead 48-72 hours before being found by Israeli forces, according to health ministry estimates.



The hostages were killed by their captors, the investigation found, and that the Israeli military's activity "in the area, although gradual and cautious, had a circumstantial influence" on the militants' decision to carry out the killings.