Israeli officer resigns over deaths of two Israelis in Hezbollah ambush
A senior Israeli officer has resigned following the deaths of two people, including a 70-year-old Israeli man, in a Hezbollah ambush last week in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military has launched an investigation into last Wednesday’s incident, in which 70-year-old Zeev Erlich was killed along with a 20-year-old soldier.
They are trying to determine, among other things, who allowed Erlich into the combat zone with the forces and why he was allowed to enter.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Col. Yoav Yarom, the chief of staff of the army’s Golani infantry brigade, said he was stepping down.
Yarom, who was wounded in the incident, said a “false and far from the truth narrative” has emerged.
Nonetheless, he said “in light of the values upon which I was raised ... I believe I must take a commander’s responsibility for the event.” He did not specify his role.
According to Israeli media reports, Erlich was not on active duty when he was shot, but was wearing a military uniform and had a weapon. The army said he was a reservist with the rank of major and identified him as a “fallen soldier” when it announced his death.
Erlich was a well-known West Bank settler and researcher of Jewish history. Media reports said he was permitted to enter Lebanon to explore a local archaeological site.
The military said the investigation is continuing.
Source: Associated Press
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