Skip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to know Israeli soldiers mistakenly killed three hostages The Israeli military says the hostages were holding a white flag when the incident occurred Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said killings were an “unbearable tragedy” Hundreds have gathered in Tel Aviv to protest over the hostage killings Palestinians mourn slain Al Jazeera journalist Samer Abu Daqqa during Gaza funeral Germany has dispatched over 7 metric tons of medical aid for Gaza Here are the latest developments around Israel’s war on the militant group Hamas in Gaza, on December 16:
Skip next section Funeral held for killed Al Jazeera cameramanDecember 16, 2023
Funeral held for killed Al Jazeera cameramanThe Committee to Protect Journalists says Samer Abu Daqqa is the 64th journalist to have died in the Israel-Hamas warImage: Bassam Masoud/REUTERSA funeral was held on Saturday for a cameraman for the Al Jazeera broadcaster, who was killed on Friday in an airstrike in southern Gaza.
Dozens of journalists took part in the procession of sending off Samer Abu Daqqa, whose body was carried through the southern city of Khan Younis, where Israel has intensified its military operations.
The body of the slain journalist was carried with his bullet-proof vest and helmet lain on top. He was buried in a grave which his fellow journalists dug.
Abu Daqqa was reporting from a school in Khan Younis when it was hit by a drone strike, Al Jazeera said. His mother accused Israel of targeting journalists, “especially those working for Al Jazeera.”
The Qatari outlet has unusual access to Gaza in the midst of the fighting.
The Israeli army told the French AFP news agency it takes “operationally feasible measures” to protect both civilians and journalists in Gaza.
“Given the ongoing exchanges of fire, remaining in an active combat zone has inherent risks,” it said.
https://p.dw.com/p/4aFG0Skip next section Israeli hostages shot dead were ‘holding white flag,’ IDF saysDecember 16, 2023
Israeli hostages shot dead were ‘holding white flag,’ IDF saysThe three Israeli hostages who were mistakenly shot dead by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the Gaza Strip were carrying a stick with a makeshift white flag at the time of the incident, an Israeli military spokesperson said, according to Reuters, Spanish news agency EFE and Israeli media.
The incident happened in an area of intense combat where Hamas militants operate in civilian attire and use deception tactics, he said. The hostages were aged 25 to 28 years.
The soldier who shot at the hostages believed the men were moving toward him as an attempt by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas to lure IDF soldiers into a trap, the IDF official said.
The official also said that soldiers had found a poster with the letters SOS on a nearby building.
They were all shirtless, and one was carrying a makeshift white flag. The soldier immediately opened fire and shouted “terrorists” to alert the other forces, the Times of Israel reported.
According to Israeli media, the probe concluded that the soldier killed two hostages, while the third was hurt and retreated back into the building, calling for help in Hebrew. At that point, the commander of the battalion is said to have ordered a cease-fire.
The third hostage later came out, and was shot dead by another soldier.
“This was against our rules of engagement,” Reuters cited the IDF official as saying. The officer said both soldiers who opened fire, killing the three hostages, did so against protocol.
https://p.dw.com/p/4aFFgSkip next section UK shoots down ‘suspected attack drone’ in the Red SeaDecember 16, 2023
UK shoots down ‘suspected attack drone’ in the Red SeaA UK destroyer has brought down “a suspected attack drone” in the Red Sea, Defense Minister Grant Shapps said Saturday.
The ship has been deployed following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas and the seizure of an Israeli-linked cargo vessel by Yemeni Houthi rebels in the Red Sea last month.
“Overnight, HMS Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone which was targeting merchant shipping in the Red Sea. One Sea Viper missile was fired and successfully destroyed the target,” Shapps said in a statement posted on social media.
HMS Diamond, a Type 45 destroyer, is carrying out operations to “bolster international efforts to maintain maritime security,” Shapps’ statement added.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have intensified attacks on ships in the area in recent weeks, including a series of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel.
https://p.dw.com/p/4aFEzSkip next section German air force flight en route to Egypt with medical supplies for GazaDecember 16, 2023
German air force flight en route to Egypt with medical supplies for GazaA German air force plane carrying medical supplies for patients from Gaza took off for Egypt on Saturday.
The German Foreign Ministry is “bringing medical equipment to support the treatment of patients and infants,” the Luftwaffe posted on social media.
The German government wants to use the special flight to transport relief supplies to Cairo, where they can be used to treat people from the Gaza Strip.
According to German news agency DPA, some 7.6 metric tons (8.4 US tons) of supplies — mainly consisting of ventilators and incubators for babies — were loaded onto the plane on nine palettes.
The Foreign Ministry said the value of the aid in this first delivery was €1.4 million ($1.53 million).
Further deliveries are expected to bring more medical supplies for Palestinians, with the value reaching up to €2 million.
Egypt has been taking in those in need of urgent care from Gaza since shortly after the conflict broke out.
Last month, however, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said medical relief for Palestinians from the Gaza Strip should be concentrated within the besieged enclave.
https://p.dw.com/p/4aF4BSkip next section Gaza: Dire situation for refugees in Al-Mawasi regionDecember 16, 2023
Gaza: Dire situation for refugees in Al-Mawasi regionWith Israel continuing airstrikes against Hamas militants across the Gaza Strip, many people have fled to the region of Al-Mawasi in the south of the strip. Declared a “safe zone” by the Israeli military, people who arrived there looking for shelter have said it lacks the most basic necessities.
Gaza: Dire situation for evacuees in Al-Mawasi regionTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/4aEyASkip next section Kerem Shalom crossing opening important but not enough, journalist tells DWDecember 16, 2023
Kerem Shalom crossing opening important but not enough, journalist tells DWThe Israeli decision to allow goods into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom border crossing for the first time since the start of the war is an “important” one, though not enough, Gazan journalist Hazem Balousha said.
Speaking to DW on Saturday from Amman, Jordan, where he is now based after fleeing the war, Balousha explained that the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza was not designed for goods to cross.
The Rafah crossing was the only access point in and out of Gaza during the war until the opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing.
“It’s important to have a flow of goods into Gaza,” Balousha said, stressing that “Gazans are in desperate need of food, water and other supplies.”
Balousha said, however, that the number of trucks allowed into the strip is insufficient, citing international organizations including the United Nations.
“We’re talking about at least 1 million in the south that are receiving this aid, and still the number of trucks is limited to 200,” he said. Balousha added that the categories of the items delivered fall short of meeting the needs of the Gazans.
https://p.dw.com/p/4aEx2Skip next section Hundreds gather in Tel Aviv to protest hostage killingsDecember 16, 2023
Hundreds gather in Tel Aviv to protest hostage killingsThe crowd was heard chanting slogans, demanding that the remaining hostages be brought homeImage: Violeta Santos Moura/REUTERSScores of people took to the streets in Tel Aviv to protest the death of the three hostages mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza, according to media reports.
Local media reports and images on television showed protesters blocking a main street in the center of the city, demanding the government take immediate action to secure the release of the hostages.
“Their time is running out! Bring them home now!” the crowd was heard chanting, according to a report by The Times of Israel. “There is no victory until every last hostage is released!” was also heard.
The demonstrators carried placards with pictures of the hostages as they marched toward the Israeli military headquarters, DPA news agency reported.
Some protesters criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government for not doing enough to secure their release. Several pressed for another hostage deal, as was implemented at the end of November as part of a brief cease-fire.
Of the 240 hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7 terror attacks in southern Israel, 110 were returned as part of the cease-fire arrangement, along with several Russian-Israelis and Thai nationals and a Filipino freed in separate deals.
Israel, the US, Germany, the EU and other governments designate Hamas a terror organization.
https://p.dw.com/p/4aEoASkip next section Netanyahu says accidental hostage killing ‘an unbearable tragedy’December 16, 2023
Netanyahu says accidental hostage killing ‘an unbearable tragedy’Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they accidentally killed three hostages during fighting in Gaza on Friday.
“This is an unbearable tragedy, and all of Israel is grieving their loss this evening,” Netanyahu said. “My heart goes out to the bereaved families at this difficult time.
“I strengthen our courageous soldiers engaged in the sacred mission of bringing home our hostages while risking their lives in doing so,” he added. “Today, on this painful evening, we will dress our wounds, learn the lessons and continue the most important effort of bringing all the hostages home.”
Some 130 hostages remain in Gaza amid Israel’s operation against Hamas, which is designated a terror organization by the US, Germany, EU and others.
Israeli army ‘mistakenly’ kills 3 hostages in GazaTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The Israeli military mistakenly killed three hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza during an intense battle, a military spokesperson said on Friday, after perceiving them as a threat. “As a result, the troops fired toward them and they were killed.”
Israel identified the three dead as Yotam Haim, 28, Samer Al-Talalka 25, and Alon Shamriz, 26.
“Together with the entire people of Israel, I bow my head in deep sorrow and mourn the death of three of our dear sons who were kidnapped,” Netanyahu said in his statement.
The incident marks the ferocity of Israel’s war on Hamas in the aftermath of the October 7 terror attacks in southern Israel that left 1,200 dead. The US government described the incident as “heartbreaking” and “tragic” and said it assumed the Israeli government would investigate how it happened.
Hamas hostages suffered severe abuse: psychiatristTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
mk/sms (AP, Reuters, AFP, DPA)
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