From the Liveblog of
Friday, December 15, 2023
Netanyahu: We’ll dress our wounds, learn necessary lessons and continue in effort to return all hostages
In his first public comments on the mistaken IDF killing of three Israeli hostages in northern Gaza earlier today, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, “Together with the entire people of Israel, I bow my head in deep sorrow and mourn the fall of three of our dear sons who were taken hostage, among them Yotam Haim and Samar Talalka.”
The third hostage killed was later named as Alon Lulu Shamriz.
“This is an unbearable tragedy. The entire State of Israel mourns this evening. My heart goes out to the grieving families in their difficult time.”
“I strengthen our brave warriors who are pursuing the sacred mission of returning our abducted, even at the cost of their own lives.”
“Even on this difficult evening, we will dress our wounds, learn the necessary lessons and continue with our supreme effort to return all our hostages home safely,” Netanyahu says.
In his own statement, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says, “During this difficult time, my thoughts and my heart are with the families of the three hostages who were mistakenly killed by IDF fire in Gaza.״
״This is a painful incident for every Israeli. We must remain resilient and continue operating – for the hostages, for our citizens and for our soldiers.”
“This evening I spoke with the IDF Chief of the General Staff about the details of this tragic incident in order to learn lessons immediately,” Gallant adds.
The Times of Israel Community.