That is completely incorrect. The terrorists that were put in charge of these hostages fled and left them alone in a war zone. They were definitely NOT released.

They were killed because of mistaken identity, which is horrible, but it happens in war, some IDF soldiers died from friendly fire.

Hamas definitely didn’t ask protection for the hostages, they asked protection for themselves.

There are many hostages reports of Hamas terrorists saying to hostages that if IDF will draw near, they will shoot the hostages.