Despair and anger as Israeli hostages shot by own forces

The Israel Defence Forces acknowledged they killed three hostages kidnapped by Hamas, even though one brandished an improvised white flag, and another appealed in Hebrew for help.

Families of some of the hostages still being held in Gaza have expressed despair and anger as details emerged of what Benjamin Netanyahu has called an unbearable tragedy.

It is a catastrophic error in a military campaign that has now claimed many thousands of lives in Gaza.

It has prompted protests in Tel Aviv, and mounting disquiet about the government of a man who prided himself on protecting his citizens at all costs.