IDF officer who died in tragic accident laid to rest
Second Lt. Hila Bezaleli buried in Mount Herzl where she found her death during Independence Day ceremony rehearsals
Thousands of people attended the funeral of Second Lt. Hila Bezaleli on Wednesday in Jerusalem's Mount Herzl. Bezaleli, 20, died after a heavy lighting fixture collapsed on a stage set on Mount Herzl during rehearsals for next week's Independence Day ceremony. Seven soldiers were injured in the incident.
Prior to the funeral, Hila's friends gathered at Jerusalem's Boyer High School and lit candles in her memory.
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Police are still investigating the circumstances of the tragic incident. Eight suspects who were detained for questioning are set to be released in the course of the night, and four others will remain in custody.
Hila's friends mourn her death (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Police are accusing the suspects, who include a safety consultant and an engineer, of death by negligence.
One of Hila's friends described her as a prominent and socially active honor student who spent much of her time volunteering. "Hila always took part in the Fallen Soldiers Remembrance Day ceremony and this year the school students will lay a wreath on her grave," she said.
Hila's mother Sigalit works at Mount Herzl and was at the site at the time of the accident.
An initial investigation revealed that a cable connecting the lighting fixtures was torn apart and as a result, the fixtures collapsed and dragged a concrete cube that weighs a few tons.
Yair Altman contributed to this report
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