JERUSALEM: Israeli forces have killed three hostages, who were their own citizens, after mistakenly identifying them as threats, according to officials. “During combat in Shujayea, the [Israeli army] mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat. As a result, the troops fired toward them and they were killed,” the army said in a statement.

The deceased have been identified as three men abducted from Israeli communities during the Hamas attack on October 7 – 28-year-old Yotam Haim, 25-year-old Samer Al-Talalka and 26-year-old Alon Shamriz.

They were reportedly killed by a military group operating in Shejaiya, northern Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident as 'unbearable tragedy'.

About 100 people who were captured during the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7 are still being held captive in Gaza. The IDF said it had opened an investigation into the killing of the three hostages and expressed its regret.

Israel has announced a reward for those who help identify and capture the Hamas terrorists behind the terrorist attack in the country on October 7. Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza and the main mastermind of the attack, was named a bounty of $4,00,000 (Rs. 3,32,25,660), while his brother and commander of Hamas' Southern Brigade, Muhammad Sinwar, has a bounty of $3,00,000 (Rs. 2,49,20,850) on his head.

Also, it is reported that the informants of other top commanders Rafa Salameh and Mohammad Deif will be given $2,00,000 (Rs 1,66,12,750) and $1,00,000 (Rs 83,06,335) respectively. As per sources, Israel's ground offensive in Gaza will enter the next phase in three weeks.