5 IDF Soldiers Killed in Gaza Friendly Fire Tragedy
In a tragic case of friendly fire, five Israeli soldiers were killed and seven others injured in Jabalya, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday. The incident occurred when two tanks fired on a forward battalion headquarters.
The tanks, under severe pressure from rocket-propelled grenade attacks, were ordered to keep all openings closed to avoid vulnerabilities. This restriction limited their visibility, contributing to the misidentification of the battalion headquarters, located just 10 to 20 meters away. The tanks perceived a potential threat emerging from the headquarters and opened fire.
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The IDF revealed that the tanks had secured the junction in Jabalya around 9 a.m., while the battalion headquarters deputy commander arrived later in the day. The fatal incident occurred in the early evening.
The five soldiers killed were identified on Thursday as Capt. Roy Beit Yaakov, 22, from Eli; Sgt. Daniel Chemu, 20, from Tiberias; Sgt. Ilan Cohen, 20, from Karmiel; Staff Sgt. Gilad Arye Boim, 22, from Karnei Shomron; and Staff Sgt. Betzalel David Shashuah, 21, from Tel Aviv, all from the ultra-Orthodox Hetz company of Battalion 202 in the Paratroopers Brigade.
Further investigation into the incident is ongoing.
