A statement from the Israeli military said that during an intense battle in Gaza it “identified three Israeli hostages as a threat”, Reuters reports. “As a result, the troops fired toward them and they were killed.”

“Together with the entire people of Israel, I bow my head in deep sorrow and mourn the death of three of our dear sons who were kidnapped,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. “My heart goes out to the grieving families in their difficult time.”

Thousands of people protested outside Israel’s central military base in Tel Aviv with signs saying “we demand a deal now!” and “not going to sleep — protesting all night”, Israel’s Channel 12 news reported.

The military named the dead hostages as Yotam Haim who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar, Samer Talalka who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Am and Alon Shamriz who was taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. All were abducted by Hamas on Oct 7, it said.

The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, which represents the families of hostages, expressed its condolences and confirmed the names of the three hostages.