New immigrant soldier's death probed
Soldier who arrived in country only two months ago found shot in head near army training site in Jenin area. Investigators believe death was suicide
The military police launched an investigation Tuesday into the death of an IDF soldier suspected of having committed suicide during training in the Jordan Valley.
Army force near Akraba mosque (Photo: AP)
The soldier disappeared in the course of a drill and was found several hours later, shot in the head and in critical condition, at an abandoned structure previously used as a mosque at the village of Akraba near Jenin.
The soldier's friends reported to their commanders of his disappearance after they noticed he was missing. Search teams immediately began canvassing the area, and discovered the wounded soldier with his personal weapon beside him soon after.
However, the soldier has been mortally injured, and a military physician that was summoned to the scene was forced to pronounce him dead. Several slugs were found in the mosque's walls, apparently the result of the soldier's attempts to shoot himself. The IDF is currently assessing the damage caused to the building.
The soldier's body was taken to the Pathology Institute in Abu Kabir, but no autopsy was carried out so far. Investigators believe the man killed himself due to personal reasons. After the discovery of the body, rumors have circulated that the soldier was murdered and that violent marks were found on his body, but these appear to be baseless.
According to army officials, the soldier arrived in Israel about two months ago and was enlisted in the Nahal's ultra-Orthodox unit only two weeks ago. His decision to commit suicide was apparently the result of difficulties in finding his place at his unit, despite his strong desire to serve as a combat soldier. The soldier did not leave a letter.
