A female hostage kidnapped by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas on October 7 was “most likely” killed by Israeli fire on the day she was kidnapped. The Israeli army made the associated research results public on Friday.
An attack helicopter fired at “a vehicle carrying terrorists and, in retrospect, according to witness accounts, also hostages,” the Israeli army said on Friday. As a result of the shelling, “most of the terrorists” and “most likely” the hostage Efrat Katz were killed.
The “tragic and regrettable” incident took place at a time of “fighting and uncertainty,” Israeli Air Force chief Tomer Bar said. He said he could not detect any misconduct by the helicopter crew during the operation. The error was due to the surveillance systems being unable to distinguish between hostages and kidnappers once they were in a vehicle.
Family members were released
Katz, 68, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz near the border with the Gaza Strip. Her German-Israeli daughter Doron Katz-Asher and her two children were also kidnapped while visiting her mother in the kibbutz. The three were released on November 24.
Katz’s partner, German-Israeli Gadi Moses, and his ex-wife Margalit Moses were also kidnapped. While Margalit Moses was later released, her ex-husband is likely still in the hands of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas, classified as a terrorist organization by the US and EU, attacked Israel on October 7 in an unprecedented attack, killing about 1,170 people and kidnapping about 250 others as hostages in the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli information. About 130 of them are still being held, 34 of whom are presumed dead. Israel has taken massive military action in the Gaza Strip since the Hamas attack. According to information from the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, which cannot be independently verified, around 33,000 people have now been killed.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
