Rights group: Tel Aviv forces killed Israeli captives during so-called rescue operation in Gaza

An international human rights organization has revealed that Israeli forces even killed Israeli captives held in Gaza during a military raid last year, an operation that also resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian civilians.

Ramy Abdul, chairman of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor made the revelation in a post on X on Wednesday, saying new evidence confirms Israel’s responsibility for the deaths of three Israeli captives during Operation Arnon, which took place on June 8, 2024.

Abdul pointed out that the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas recovered the body of an Israeli captive from the same house where Operation Arnon took place—“a massacre that killed over 270 Palestinian civilians.”

He went on to say that the resistance group previously said Israel had killed three captives on that day, one of whom held American citizenship, despite Israel's denial.

Abdul further noted that the recovery of the captive's body now indicates that Tel Aviv forces indeed killed Israeli captives during the operation, which was reportedly backed by the United States. 

Operation Arnon was a large-scale Israeli assault in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, described by Israel as a rescue mission targeting Hamas fighters holding captives from the October 7, 2023 attacks.

While Israel claimed that it had rescued several captives, Palestinian authorities and rights groups reported widespread destruction and heavy civilian casualties as a result of the raid. 

The Geneva-based rights group Euro-Med Monitor also stressed that the discovery of an Israeli captive’s remains in the same building targeted by Israeli forces supports earlier statements by Palestinian groups, implicating Israeli fire in the deaths of at least three captives. 

The Israeli military has previously denied reports of any captives being killed by its forces during the operation. 

Human rights organizations have been advocating for independent investigations into Israeli military operations in Gaza, citing potential violations of international humanitarian law. 

This revelation adds to the growing criticism of Israel’s conduct during Operation Arnon, originally presented as a captive rescue mission but now facing accusations of excessive force and disregard for civilian life.

Israeli attacks killed at least 20 captives in Gaza: Report

Israeli military offensives across the Gaza Strip have put the lives of at least 54 captives held by Palestinian resistance groups in danger, leading to the death of 20 individuals, according to a report.

Dozens of Israeli captives are believed to have been killed by Israeli air strikes and gunfire during Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.

Hamas has placed responsibility for the deaths and missing bodies, believed to be buried under rubble along with thousands of civilians, on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his cabinet, and the military.

On October 10, a ceasefire took effect in the Gaza Strip, based on a phased plan presented by US President Donald Trump. The first phase included the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Israel accepted the Gaza truce deal after two years, following the failure to achieve its declared objectives of eliminating Hamas and freeing all captives, despite killing 68,527 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 170,395 others.

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