The Israeli Armed Forces (IDF) today released the conclusion of the investigation they conducted into the circumstances of the death of six Hamas hostages, last August, in the Gaza Strip. The bodies were found during an army operation near Khan Younis, and the IDF believes the kidnappers executed the hostages, a version reinforced by bullet wounds on the six bodies.

The finding states that the action of the Israeli armed forces near the location where the six abductees had been taken – but without the IDF leadership’s prior knowledge – influenced the decision of Hamas fighters who decided to kill the hostages.

News of the six hostages found dead in the Gaza Strip had sparked shock and outrage in Israel, where nearly half a million protesters took to the streets demanding the Netanyahu government urgently strike a deal with Hamas to free the abductees.

The six hostages kidnapped by Palestinian militants in the October 7, 2023 attack were shot and killed 48-72 hours before they were found dead by Israeli soldiers, according to the health ministry.

The investigation’s finding “proves once again that the return of all hostages is only possible through agreement,” said the Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons, which represents relatives of abductees still missing after the unprecedented Hamas attack. in Israel.

Diplomatic efforts to free the Hamas hostages continue. Tonight a group of Israeli negotiators returned from Qatar to Israel for consultations, after a week of important contacts, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office informed.