NIS 2M for family of youth killed in helicopter rescue op
Ynet has learned that government has reached compromise to compensate family of Alaa Agabriya, who was rescued by helicopter from mine field only to fall to his death
It was one of the most horrific and widely documented deaths in Israel in recent years: Alaa Agabriya, who was wounded in a minefield and had to be rescued by helicopter, slipped and fell to his death. Three and a half years later, Ynet has learned that the Defense Ministry and the Northern District Prosecutor have reached a compromise to pay Agabriya's family NIS 2 million ($520,000) in compensation.
The proposal has been submitted to the Nazareth District Court. Once it is approved, the family will withdraw its original demand for NIS 4.2 million (about $1.1 million) in compensation and forgo any and all claims and demands in the case. His parents have also promised not to file any further lawsuits in the matter. The payment is expected to be disbursed within 30 days.
Related stories:
- IDF: Unprofessional action led to botched rescue
The accident took place in March 2009, when three young men found themselves in a minefield near Beit She'an while out hiking. Agabriya stepped on a mine and was badly wounded.
An IAF helicopter and a search and rescue team from the IAF's elite 669 unit were scrambled to the scene. A soldier rappelled down and tied the wounded Agabriya to himself. The two were raised back up, but moments before Agabriya was moved into the helicopter itself, he slipped and fell. He was declared dead at Rambam Hospital in Haifa.
