Three hostages held by Hamas killed by IDF, Israel says

The Israel Defense Forces said Friday that its soldiers have mistakenly killed three hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza City.

"During combat in Shejaiya, the IDF mistakenly identified three Israeli hostages as a threat. As a result, the troops fired toward them and they were killed," the IDF said in a statement.

"During searches and checks in the area in which the incident occurred, a suspicion arose over the identities of the deceased," the IDF continued. "Their bodies were transferred to Israeli territory for examination, after which it was confirmed that they were three Israeli hostages."