IDF probe finds ‘no negligence’ by troops in accidental killing of farmer in north

Investigation into death of Ofer Moskovitz in mistaken shelling of Kibbutz Misgav Am finds tragedy caused by ‘several operational variables and non-optimal firing conditions’

An IDF investigation has found there was “no negligence” by troops who accidentally fired artillery shells at an Israeli border community last week, killing farmer Ofer Moskovitz, the military said Sunday.

During the incident on March 22, an artillery battery positioned in Israel fired five shells that struck Kibbutz Misgav Am, instead of a target in southern Lebanon, killing the 60-year-old.

An investigation into the incident, headed by Artillery Corps chief Brig. Gen. Ehud Bibi, was recently completed and presented to Moskovitz’s family, the army said.

According to the probe, the artillery shelling “was carried out during an operational event in close support of our maneuvering forces,” and the errant fire was the result of “a convergence of several operational variables and non-optimal firing conditions.

“No negligence was found, and no ethical failure was identified on the part of those involved in the firing process in the battery,” the IDF said.

As part of lessons drawn from the incident, Ground Forces chief Maj. Gen. Nadav Lotan ordered a new “operational directive addressing artillery fire over communities and civilian facilities.”

The IDF said the directive will be “stricter” than the one currently in place.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also received the results of the investigation, saying it was a “difficult and tragic incident” from which lessons “must be learned and implemented promptly.”

“An Israeli civilian, Ofer ‘Poshko’ Moskovitz, a man of the north and one of the pillars of the Misgav Am community, was killed as a result of IDF fire,” said Zamir in remarks published by the IDF.

“The battalion and the battery have been operating since the beginning of the campaign continuously and professionally to remove the threat [of Hezbollah] and strike enemy targets,” he said.

Zamir said that the deadly incident resulted from a “convergence of several factors, including aspects of the firing calculation system, terrain conditions, and an error in topographical calculations.”

“This is an incident that requires lessons be learned. We must examine and tighten all safety components, particularly the manner of deployment and use of fire near communities, to prevent risk to our civilians. We will draw the necessary lessons and continue to act responsibly to keep protecting the residents of the north,” he said, adding that “the IDF expresses deep sorrow to the family and the community.”

The outcome of the investigation diverged from remarks made by the military the day after the deadly incident, when the IDF said an initial probe had found “several grave issues and operational errors” in the planning and firing of the artillery shells.

“The shelling was carried out at an incorrect angle and not in accordance with required procedures,” the military said at the time.

Moskowitz’s brother, Roni, told the Kan public broadcaster last week that he did not feel any bitterness towards the IDF.

“These kinds of things happen in a war,” he said. “We, as a family, and certainly I, personally, are not looking to blame people. This is something that happened, and the loss of Ofer is a loss no matter what, and that is what we are focused on.”

The incident came as Israel’s border communities continued to absorb regular attacks from the Hezbollah terror group.

Moskovitz was an active member of the kibbutz who managed its 400 dunams (100 acres) of avocado groves. He was eulogized by the community as “a prominent voice for us all over the years.”

Speaking to The Times of Israel earlier this month, Moskovitz said the northern community was largely staying put despite being well aware of the danger emanating from across the Lebanon border.

“It’s dangerous, and it’s stressful, but there’s nothing to do about it,” said Moskovitz.

Israel and the US launched a campaign against Iran on February 28 in a bid to destabilize the regime and destroy its nuclear and ballistic missile capacities. Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes across the region, and its proxies in Iraq and Lebanon have also carried out attacks, with Israel launching massive airstrikes in Lebanon in response to the Hezbollah terror group’s rocket barrages.

Since the war began, 15 civilians and foreign nationals have been killed in Israel in Iranian missile attacks, along with four Palestinians in the West Bank. Two soldiers were also killed in a Hezbollah attack.