The IDF’s investigation into the tragic killing of six hostages—Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and MSG Ori Danino—was finalized by Chief of the General Staff LTG Herzi Halevi and shared with the families of the victims on Tuesday. This probe was carried out by various divisions, including the Southern Command, the Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters, the 162nd Division, and Shayetet 13. The goal was to assess the IDF’s actions during the battle to eliminate Hamas’s Tel al-Sultan Battalion and examine the circumstances that led to the brutal deaths of the six hostages by Hamas militants.

The investigation revealed that on August 15th, 2024, the 162nd Division launched an operation aimed at neutralizing Hamas’s al-Tel Sultan Battalion after several months of military operations in Rafah. During fierce combat within Tel al-Sultan’s heart, the troops uncovered a significant underground tunnel network.

To continue their mission, including searching for the tunnel system and possibly locating hostages, a special command center was established, led by Shayetet 13 and the 162nd Division, with support from other security agencies. This center integrated a range of specialized forces, intelligence units, advanced subterranean operational tools, and technology for potential hostage recovery.

Prior to the operation, extensive planning took place, with the Southern Command, the 162nd Division, and the Hostages and Missing Persons Headquarters working closely together. The potential for hostages in the area was assessed as low to moderate, yet soldiers were told to proceed as though hostages might be present and to remain vigilant. They continually reassessed the situation in coordination with relevant professionals.

On August 27th, 2024, Qaid Farhan Alkadi, a hostage, was rescued from an underground facility, found alone with no prior intel on his whereabouts. After this rescue, the troops evaluated the chances of finding other hostages in the area, pausing operations for 24 hours. Even after Alkadi’s rescue, no intelligence suggested the presence of additional hostages at that time.

On August 31st, 2024, the division troops discovered the six hostages in an underground tunnel, but sadly, they were already deceased, with gunshot wounds evident on their bodies. A subsequent pathological report indicated the hostages were murdered on August 29th, 2024. The tunnel where their bodies were found was located by the IDF on August 30th, 2024, after the killings occurred.

The investigation concluded that Hamas militants were responsible for the deaths of the six hostages. While the IDF’s gradual and careful ground operations in the area did not directly cause the killings, they likely influenced the terrorists’ decision to execute the hostages.

LTG Halevi described the incident as a deeply painful and tragic event, acknowledging the horrific murders of the hostages by Hamas. He stated that, according to the investigation, the hostages were shot by Hamas while the IDF was operating nearby. However, the exact details of the events in the tunnel leading up to the murders may never be fully clarified.

Halevi stressed the moral obligation to investigate the incident for the families’ sake and for operational learning. He emphasized the IDF’s continued efforts to bring the hostages home and affirmed the military’s commitment to fulfilling its national duty.

“The IDF shares the grief of the families over their grievous loss and will continue to accompany them. The IDF is continuing to operate with all means to fulfill the supreme national mission of bringing home all the hostages,” the military stated.

In reaction to the investigation’s findings, the Hostages Families Forum issued a call for an immediate deal to bring the remaining hostages home. “We share in the renewed pain of the families who were presented with the details of this devastating and heartbreaking investigation. The investigation published tonight proves once again that the return of all hostages will only be possible through a deal,” the families wrote.

They further stated, “For Ori, Almog, Alex, Hersh, Carmel, and Eden of blessed memory – it was too late. These six hostages survived 328 days in the impossible conditions of Hamas tunnels and should have returned home alive. Had the previous negotiations not collapsed – they would now be undergoing rehabilitation with their families.”

The Forum concluded by urging, “The time has come to bring back all the hostages. We need a deal that will ensure the return of all hostages within a quick and predetermined timeframe. Every passing moment puts the hostages’ lives in immediate danger and complicates the return of those murdered for proper burial. We must act before it’s too late.”

{Matzav.com Israel}