The IDF soldier who was critically injured on Tuesday after his comrade accidentally shot him in the neck succumbed to his wounds late Wednesday evening at the Rambam Hospital in Haifa. The family of 19-year-old Cpl. Yaniv Pozoarik has requested his organs be donated.
Initial reports indicated that the incident was the result of an apparent mishap that occurred when one of Cpl. Pozoarik's fellow soldiers was cleaning his rifle in the outpost near Israel's northern border where they were stationed.
The soldier's rifle misfired and Pozoarik, who was standing nearby, sustained severe wounds. He received initial medical treatment at the scene and was evacuated by an MDA helicopter to the hospital.
Military Police have launched an investigation into the incident and a senior officer holding the rank of Colonel was appointed to head the probe. Soldiers present at the scene of the shooting have said the incident was a tragic accident and not the result of inappropriate play with firearms.
A military source noted that it was too early to reach any conclusions on the incident. He added that the IDF took severe measures against soldiers who used their weapons as a game and that the number of such incidents had recently been reduced.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this report