Training exercise (Archives)
Photo: AP
IDF officer nearly killed during exercise
Lieutenant sustains minor injuries during live fire exercise. Preliminary investigation reveals: Shooter left designated area
An IDF officer, holding the rank of lieutenant, was injured on Monday during a live fire exercise at the Shizafon training base in south Israel. The officer was hit by shrapnel after a tank fired an errant shell in his direction; he was evacuated to a nearby hospital to receive treatment.
From a preliminary investigation it appears that the tank had left the designated exercise area.
All exercises were suspended immediately after the incident. An investigation led by Brigadier General Agai Yehezkel, the Armored Corps commanding officer, was launched Tuesday. At the same time the base's commander conducted a safety seminar to all officers, in order to prevent another incident in the future.
A Source in the IDF mentioned that it was a "miracle" that the wounded officer only sustained light injuries and that it could have easily ended in tragedy.
"After the incident, all related parties were informed and the decision to halt all exercises was approved; the investigation will focus on the manner in which the tank left the designated area", said the source.
At this time the safety lectures are still being conducted and the training exercises have yet to resume. Along with the investigation being carried out by the Armored Corps, the Military Investigative Police have also launched their own investigation in an attempt to determine whether there are any criminal aspects to the incident.
