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Israeli information retailers had beforehand quoted survivors of the bloodbath saying that an Israeli tank had fired on a home the place Hamas fighters have been holding hostages throughout the prolonged battle to retake Be’eri. In an article printed on Friday by The New York Instances, the Israeli commander who led the battle detailed how he had approved tank hearth to finish what was already an hourslong standoff — “even at the price of civilian casualties.”
These remarks have been picked up by the Israeli information media and prompted some public debate in regards to the conduct of the commander, Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram. Solely two out of the 14 hostages in the home survived that day; it was not clear what number of died by tank hearth.
Some individuals have defended Common Hiram, saying he had run into the road of fireplace to battle terrorists. Critics have stated that the commander had recklessly endangered the lives of hostages who may in any other case have been saved.
Common Hiram, by way of a army spokeswoman, declined to remark.
In a written assertion on Sunday in response to questions concerning Common Hiram’s conduct, the Israeli army stated it could “conduct an in depth and in-depth probe to make clear the small print as quickly because the operational state of affairs permits.” It referred to as Common Hiram “a adorned, principled, and revered officer, who fought bravely on Oct. 7,” sentiments echoed by the Israeli army’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, on Sunday night.
Admiral Hagari stated the Oct. 7 assault had pressured “very powerful choices” which must be investigated as quickly as potential. He urged the general public to not choose Common Hiram’s conduct earlier than the inquiry was full, including that he was “certain Barak’s choices have been guided by his dedication to defending the residents of Israel.”
Israel’s finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, on Sunday additionally referred to as Common Hiram “a hero of Israel” who had been pressured to make troublesome decisions to fend off the Hamas assault.
Yoav Limor, a army commentator, argued within the right-leaning each day Israel HaYom that individuals who “sat at house and watched the broadcasts in terror” on Oct. 7 shouldn’t rush to criticize Common Hiram and his fellow troopers who “fought for the kibbutzes and for us all.”
However some commentators blamed Common Hiram for the deaths of the hostages.
“The heroes of Israel ought to guard the kids of Israel, to not kill them,” Shelly Yachimovich, a former chief of Israel’s parliamentary opposition, wrote on the X platform on Sunday. “Who am I to evaluate? Who’s he to kill.”
Yair Golan, a retired Israeli common, stated that solely an investigation may decide whether or not Common Hiram — who at one level served below his command — had acted appropriately.
“It’s not severe to debate this with out a severe investigation, and I very a lot hope there will likely be one,” stated Common Golan.
Johnatan Reiss contributed reporting.
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