Three hostages accidentally killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza
Israelis take part in a protest following the Israeli Military news of 3 hostages killed in Gaza by friendly fire. Israeli soldiers accidentally killed three hostages in Gaza after forces mistakenly identified them as a threat and shot them during an operation against a Hamas battalion in Gaza City, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Friday. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Israeli soldiers accidentally killed three hostages in Gaza after forces mistakenly identified them as a threat and shot them during an operation against a Hamas battalion in Gaza City, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Friday.

Shortly after the incident in the Shejaiya district, the suspicion arose that the dead could be hostages, said Hagari.

The bodies were then taken to Israeli territory for closer examination. It was confirmed that they were three Israeli hostages. "This is a tragic incident, the army bears full responsibility," Hagari continued.