JERUSALEM: Three Israeli hostages killed mistakenly in Gaza by Israeli forces had been holding up a white flag, according to an initial inquiry into the incident, a military official said on Saturday.
The incident happened in an area of intense combat where Hamas militants operate in civilian attire and use deception tactics, the official said.
A soldier saw the hostages emerging tens of meters from Israeli forces in the area of Shejaiya, the official said.
GAZA STRIP: Israel reopened an aid crossing into Gaza on Friday as staunch ally the United States urged more restraint in its all-out offensive against Hamas.