JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The IDF has revealed that 20 of the 105 soldiers who have fallen in battle in the Gaza offensive were killed in friendly fire incidents, nearly a fifth of those who died.
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13 of the soldiers were killed by friendly fire, after they were suspected by other soldiers of being terrorists. Six more soldiers were killed in accidents such as being run over by military vehicles or tanks, accidental misfiring or shrapnel from a grenade thrown by another soldier. One soldier was killed in a mistaken air strike.
The army did not reveal how many soldiers had been injured in similar incidents. IDF officials stated that the high levels of friendly fire victims are due to the large number of soldiers fighting in Gaza, the length of the fighting, tiredness, lack of operational discipline and lack of coordination between different forces. Despite this officials say that the incidents could and should have been prevented.
The IDF is investigating each of these incidents and the conclusions have immediately been shared with all combat forces in order to prevent similar incidents happening in the future. Despite this, the investigations are shared in a way which respects the sensitivities of the bereaved families and the IDF forces in the combat zone.
Omg. I’m more nauseous than I was before.
As much as this is terrible and any amount of prevention possible must be taken, unfortunately it is probably to some degree an unavoidable tragic outcome of wars… תנצב”ה.
What is the typical rate of friendly fire combat casualties?