Admin I Tuesday, August 22, 2023
ISRAEL – Israeli Defence Forces, IDF has concluded investigation into the death of one of its soldiers, SSF David Yehuda Yizhak attached to the Egoz Unit, noting that the soldier was killed in error in a crossfire with palestinian militants.
In a statement, IDF said the soldier was killed July 4, 2023 during a counterterrorism operation at Jenin Camp, in the occupied West Bank.
The IDF made the statement in the conclusion of the report presented to the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, the Commanding Officer of the Central Command; the Commanding Officer of the 98th Fire Formation Division; the Commanding Officer of the Commando Brigade and the Commanding Officer of the Egoz Unit.
“The late David Yehuda Yizhak died during a counterterrorism operation in the Jenin Camp, on the night of July 4, 2023, when he was shot and killed by IDF fire following an incident of mistaken identification”, the report stated.
According to the statement, the shooting was carried out during an exchange of fire between the troops and militants, while the troops were withdrawing from the camp.
“A soldier that identified a suspicious figure making suspicious movements in one of the buildings shot towards it, resulting in the death of the late David Yehuda Yizhak, who was mistakenly identified”, the statement said, adding that the investigation revealed gaps in the way the positions of the troops were organized during the withdrawal from the camp.
Speaking on the report, Chief of the General Staff described Yizhak’s death as a difficult and unfortunate incident.
According to him, the Egoz Unit, together with the Commando Units, operated in the Jenin Camp in a brave and admirable manner, which led to operational successes and greater operational freedom.
“We will learn the necessary lessons, and incorporate them into the IDF combat units”, he said.
The findings of the investigation were also presented to the Yizhak family.
While sending its heartfelt condolences to the family, the IDF said measures will be taken at the brigade level to forestall similar incident in the future.
