Katz denies decision has been made not to recognize Alon Shamriz as fallen soldier

Defense Minister Israel Katz denies reports that he has rejected the request of the family of Alon Shamriz, a Hamas hostage who was mistakenly shot dead by IDF troops in Gaza in December 2023, to have him be recognized as a fallen soldier.

Alon’s brother, Yonatan, writes on X that he “found out from the media” that Katz had turned down the request, “despite the fact that nobody is more worthy than him of this recognition.” He calls the purported decision “vile and despicable” and says the family will continue to fight via the court system.

Katz in response issues a statement denying that any decision has been reached, and saying that he has asked the IDF to “make every effort to find a solution to this painful chapter, alongside dialogue with the family.”

According to a Channel 12 report, the IDF is working on a new designation for slain hostages that would be different from both fallen soldiers and from victims of terrorist attacks, providing them with a unique status.

In response to a petition from the family, the High Court last week called on the state to hasten to make a decision on the matter “to allow the family peace of mind and justice.”

The IDF believes that Shamriz and two other hostages — Yotam Haim and Samar Fouad Talalka managed to escape their captors and managed to survive for several days in Gaza City before they were shot dead by IDF troops who mistook them for Hamas gunmen. Shamriz’s family believe his experience as an elite soldier led to the survival of the three hostages for a number of days in war-torn Gaza, and note that he had been called up for reserve duty on October 7.