IDF missile (Illustration)
צילום: רויטרס
Soldier accidentally launches missile near Lebanese border
Nahal Brigade soldier fires antitank missile during drill on northern border; missile lands in Israeli territory, causing no injuries or damage, but officials say incident could have ended with grave results
An antitank missile was accidentally fired by an IDF soldier during a Nahal Brigade drill near the Lebanese border on Monday. The missile landed in Israeli territory, causing no injuries or damage.
IDF sources stressed that this was a serious incident that could have resulted in injuries or an escalation with Lebanon had the missile landed on the other side of the border.
An initial investigation of the incident revealed that during a maneuver of the Granite Regiment in the area Monday morning, one of the soldiers who had been practicing on using the antitank system, launched the missile by mistake. The missile landed at a distance of several kilometers.
A military official involved in the investigation said that such an accident should not be allowed to happen to skilled soldiers, especially not when such a dangerous weapon was concerned.
The official vowed that a thorough investigation of the accident would be conducted, and that conclusions would be drawn and lessons implemented in other units.
