Israeli hostages killed by IDF attack, preliminary report reveals

Preliminary reports suggest that five of the six hostages whose bodies were returned to Israel from Khan Younis died from asphyxiation in a tunnel due to a fire sparked by an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operation. This evaluation concerns the deaths of Alex Danzig, Yoram Metzger, Avraham Mondar, Chaim Perry, Yigov Buchstab, and Nadav Poplovel.

The incident occurred during a military maneuver by the IDF’s Division 98 approximately six months ago. According to reports, the IDF’s attack on a Hamas target near the tunnel ignited a fire that led to a dangerous buildup of carbon dioxide, which then filled the tunnel where the hostages were detained. The results of the investigation are still being examined at the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, with preliminary findings supporting this theory.

The IDF confirmed that the operation was carried out based on intelligence that had been gathered over an extended period. “The circumstances surrounding their deaths are under investigation,” said IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari. “We will present the final findings to the families and then to the public.”

The IDF has emphasized the importance of minimizing collateral damage during military operations. However, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with military actions in densely populated areas. IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, reaffirmed the commitment to recovering bodies and addressing the issue, but the situation underscores the broader impact of such military operations on both civilian and hostage populations.