Israeli Military Mistakenly Kills 3 Israeli Hostages in Gaza Operation In a tragic turn of events, the Israeli military has announced that it mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages during its ground operation in the Gaza Strip. The hostages were found by Israeli troops in the Gaza City area of Shijaiyah, where fierce battles against Hamas militants have been taking place. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the army’s chief spokesman, stated that the hostages were erroneously identified as a threat. It remains unclear whether they had escaped their captors or had been abandoned. The Israeli military expressed “deep sorrow” over the incident and has launched an investigation. This incident comes at a time when the U.S. and Israel are discussing a timetable for scaling back intense combat operations in the war against Hamas. While both parties agree that the overall fight will take months, the specifics of how Gaza will be governed once Hamas control is ended remain vague. During his visit to the region, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the future of the besieged enclave. One possibility that was floated is the return of Palestinian security forces to Gaza, who were driven out by Hamas in its 2007 takeover. This is the first time that Washington has offered details on its vision for security arrangements in Gaza. However, any role for Palestinian security forces in Gaza is likely to face strong opposition from Israel, which seeks to maintain an open-ended security presence in the region. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has stated that it will take months to destroy Hamas completely, but it is unclear if this estimate refers to the current phase of heavy airstrikes and ground battles. The ongoing offensive, triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel in early October, has resulted in extensive damage to northern Gaza and the displacement of 80% of the population. Thousands of people are now living in overcrowded shelters in the south, creating a humanitarian crisis. The Biden administration has expressed unease over Israel’s failure to reduce civilian casualties and its plans for the future of Gaza. However, the U.S. continues to offer support to Israel through weapon shipments and diplomatic backing. President Joe Biden has emphasized the need to save civilian lives while continuing to target Hamas. Despite the Israeli onslaught, Hamas has shown resilience and continued its attacks. Rockets were fired from Gaza toward central Israel, setting off sirens in Jerusalem. The group’s ability to sustain its operations raises questions about whether Israel can defeat Hamas without wiping out the entire territory. The Israeli airstrikes and tank shelling have resulted in the deaths of more than 18,700 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. The true number of casualties, including women and minors, is difficult to determine due to the ongoing conflict. The communication services in Gaza remain down, exacerbating the crisis. In light of these developments, Sullivan’s meeting with Abbas focused on an immediate cease-fire and increased aid to Gaza. Abbas emphasized that Gaza is an integral part of the Palestinian state and called for a revitalization of the Palestinian Authority. However, Abbas’ popularity is waning, with close to 90% of Palestinians wanting him to resign. As discussions continue regarding the future of Gaza, it is clear that finding a solution that satisfies all parties involved will be a challenging task. The tragic incident of the mistakenly killed hostages serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the need for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict.