The IDF and its commanders are solely responsible for the tragic killing of three hostages in Gaza by Israeli fire, IDF Chief-of-Staff Herzi Halevi said in a Saturday evening address.
"The three hostages did everything possible to make us understand [who they were]," Halevi said. "We cannot shoot at those who raise white flags.
"However, the shooting occurred in a high-pressure fighting area," he added.
Halevi vows to minimize tragic incidents in Gaza war
Halevi said the killing of Yotam Haim, Samer Talalka, and Alon Shamriz is a "tragic and painful incident. There is nothing the IDF wants more than freeing hostages alive, we failed in this case," he added.
Halevi vowed that the Israeli military would do everything to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The IDF chief warned that the tragic incident could be followed by more incidents of hostages escaping captivity or being abandoned by their Hamas captives.
"We have the duty and the responsibility to bring them home alive," Halevi noted.