Israel’s military has confirmed that hostage Sahar Baruch was killed in a failed December rescue mission. It said it was unclear whether he was killed by Hamas or accidental fire from Israeli forces, Al Jazeera reports.

Speaking to Israeli radio, Baruch’s aunt, Merav Barkai, said: “We were scared from the beginning that there would be a military attempt to rescue him and it would end this way,” Al Jazeera cites the Times of Israel.

She also said his family is sad that Israeli troops were wounded in the operation, according to the media.