IDF soldier killed as result of friendly fire

An Israel Defense Forces soldier was killed Monday near the border fence in the Kissufim area, apparently as a result of friendly fire by a Golani force following what was believed to be a terrorist infiltration.

The soldier was identified as Staff Sergeant Gavriel Cepic, 21, of Zichron Yaacov.

According to an initial investigation, IDF lookouts spotted three suspicious figures near the border fence. Armor forces began chasing the suspicious figures within Israeli territory.

A Golani force arrived in the area, mistook the soldiers for armed terrorists and fired at them. The armor force's commander, who realized that the force was firing at fellow soldiers, ordered all forces in the area to hold fire. .

The three Palestinians were eventually captured and were said to be unarmed. Southern Command Chief Yoav Galant appointed an investigating officer holding the rank of colonel to probe the grave incident

Gaza Division Commander Brigadier-General Eyal Eisenberg arrived in the area and launched an investigation into the incident.

IDF forces at scene of incident, Monday evening (Photo: Tsafrir Abayov)

Apparently, one of the key reasons for the tragic incident has to do with the fact that the IDF stresses the need to engage the enemy.

According to the initial investigation, tanks were positioned along the border fence, but at around 6 pm the tank crews were ordered to return to their home base. Infantry soldiers were set to patrol the border fence in their place, but as the tank crews were making their way to a vehicle that was supposed to transport them to the base, they received word of the Palestinians' infiltration just a few hundred meters away.

The tank company commander and two of his soldiers began running towards the area where the Palestinians had cut the security fence. Upon their arrival at the scene the Armored Corps troops spotted the infiltrators hiding in a grove. Meanwhile, soldiers from the Golani Brigade's 12th Battalion arrived at the scene as well. The Golani force mistook the Armored Corps soldiers for the terrorists and opened fire, hitting Staff Sergeant Cepic. 

Upon realizing that IDF soldiers were behind the gunfire, the company commander called out to them, asking that they hold their fire.

The infiltrators were apprehended only after the gunfire stopped.

The IDF will investigate the incident further, but army officials estimate that the soldier's death was the result of a tragic and unique set of circumstances.

The soldier's family issued a statement saying, "Gavri was an amazing boy who loved the country and was a patriot at heart. He was social, kind, happy and loved to spend time with his friends. He had plans for his life after the army, but now everything has come to an end."

Cepic will be laid to rest in his home town at 3 pm Tuesday.

Dozens of Gavri's friends arrived at the family home in the Neve Sharet neighborhood upon receiving word of his death.

Zichron Yaacov Council chairman Eli Abutbul also arrived at the family's home. "Gavri was a true patriot. When I came here I saw an Israeli flag hanging from his window," he said, "These are honest and humble people."

Gavriel Cepic is survived by his parents, Franco and Bat-Ami, his older brother Adal and a sister, Anabel, who is currently serving in the army.

Ali Waked contributed to this report