On Friday, Israel reopened a humanitarian aid crossing into Gaza amid a call from a strong U.S. ally for increased restraint in its ongoing offensive against Hamas. The Israeli army acknowledged mistakenly shooting and killing three hostages, misidentifying them as a threat, while Jerusalem experienced rocket fire from Gaza for the first time since late October.
Key Updates on the Israel-Hamas Conflict:
In the Shijaiyah area of Gaza City, Israeli troops accidentally killed three hostages during intense fighting with Hamas militants. A Palestinian journalist was also killed in a separate Israeli strike.
The hostages, abducted in the October 7 attack that triggered the war, were identified as Yotam Haim (28), Samer Al-Talalka (25), and Alon Shamriz (26).
Families of the hostages, numbering over 240, have advocated for their return, influencing public discourse in Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed the deaths an \”unbearable tragedy\” and pledged continued efforts for the safe return of all hostages.
An Israeli attack reportedly killed an Al Jazeera journalist and injured a colleague in Gaza. The U.S. National Security Council expressed uncertainty about deliberate targeting of journalists by Israel.
Over 60 journalists and media staff have died since the conflict began on October 7, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The war originated from an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel from Gaza, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, according to Israeli officials.
The Hamas government claimed a higher casualty figure, stating the war has killed at least 18,800 people, mainly women and children.