Golani chief: Soldier most likely killed by friendly fire
Head of Golani Division Tamir Yadi says Staff Sergeant Yehuda Bassel, killed in Gaza operation on Thursday, was probably killed by friendly fire. Inquiry into incident to be completed Sunday
According to Yadi, the force that left the al-Atatra region in Gaza on Saturday may renter the Strip if needed.
Staff Sergeant Bassel, 21, of Moshav Yinon, was killed during an exchange of fire in northern Gaza on Thursday. Bassel sustained head injuries and died at the Soroka hospital in Beer Sheva.
The soldier was shot in the head by snipers and sustained critical wounds. The evacuation of the soldier to Israel for treatment was delayed for more than an hour due to heavy fire exchanges in the place and he received initial treatment on the scene.
The Salah al-Din Brigades, the Popular Resistance Committees' military wing, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Abu Adir spokesman of the Resistance Committees told Ynet that the death of the soldier is "only the beginning."
"So long as Israeli soldiers go deeper into Palestinian territory, the number of casualties among them will grow. We are determined to end this campaign with the maximum number of killed and hostages on the Israeli side," he said.
