IDF calls off live-ammunition drill

Following bereaved parents' appeal, army clarifies exercise will not include firing of real missile at manned tank

Hanan Greenberg |Published: 12.19.10 , 19:22

The Israel Defense Forces has called off a plan to hold a live-ammunition drill, after Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi received a letter from bereaved parents whose sons died in the 1992 Tze'elim disaster, demanding that the plan be canceled.

Following the parents' appeal, the IDF Spokesperson's Office said the exercise would not include live ammunition and would be held under safety restrictions and the supervision of security elements.

Colonel Einav Shalev, commander of the Armored Corps' 401th Brigade, was quoted Sunday morning as saying that the unusual drill would include the firing of a real missile at a tank carrying soldiers. He added that there was no reason to fear, as the system was very reliable and had been tested successfully.

"This is a reliable and excellent system which has been tested under all possible conditions. It has had an excellent response and there is no reason to fear."

A military official said Sunday evening that a live-ammunition drill had not been planned in the first place. A statement clarifying the matter was issued only after the bereaved parents' appeal.