IDF Admits Artillery Fire Killed Israeli Civilian

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Monday that an Israeli civilian was accidentally killed by its own artillery fire near the northern border with Lebanon, where clashes with Hezbollah continue.

Following an internal investigation, the military stated that initial findings indicate the civilian was struck by artillery fire intended to support Israeli troops operating in southern Lebanon. The IDF acknowledged that “serious issues and operational errors” occurred during both the planning and execution of the strike.

The victim was identified as Ofer Moskovitz. According to the military, the artillery was fired at an incorrect angle and failed to comply with established operational protocols. As a result, five shells were mistakenly directed toward the Misgav Am ridge rather than the intended enemy target.

The IDF expressed deep regret over the incident and extended condolences to the victim’s family and the local community in Misgav Am.

The incident occurred amid escalating cross-border tensions. Hezbollah had earlier claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli forces in northern Israel, including in Misgav Am, where initial reports suggested a civilian had been killed by rocket fire from Lebanon.

The military had initially launched a probe to determine whether the fatality was caused by enemy fire or its own operations, before confirming the error on Monday.

The broader conflict intensified after Hezbollah began launching rockets into Israel on March 2, following the killing of Ali Khamenei in joint Israeli-US strikes. Since then, Israel has conducted extensive airstrikes and deployed troops into Lebanon, while Hezbollah continues cross-border rocket attacks.