An IDF combat soldier killed Monday night in a friendly fire incident near Tulkarem in Samaria has been named as Staff Sgt. Natan Fitoussi, 20, a soldier in the Kfir Brigade, the IDF has confirmed.
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An initial probe into the events that led to Fitoussi's death indicates that he had left an outpost he was manning with one of his team members, apparently to pray, and when he returned, his comrade failed to recognize him and fired two shots. One hit Fitoussi in the leg, and the second, fatal, shot struck his chest.
Staff Sgt. Natan Fitoussi, 20, was tragically killed last night by IDF fire near the Judea and Samaria security barrier.
We express our deepest condolences to his family and will continue to support them. pic.twitter.com/Ll7jOQDgiR
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 16, 2022
Fitoussi was evacuated to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba in critical condition, where medical staff declared him dead.
GOC Central Command Maj. Gen. Yehuda Fuchs and Commander of the Judea Samaria Division Brig. Gen. Avi Bluth visited the scene of the incident after reports came in and spent the night investigating the incident. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi was due to arrive on Tuesday morning for a debriefing.
Speaking to Army Radio on Tuesday, IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav said that Fitoussi had announced he was stepping away from the post, and the shooter had followed protocol for arresting a suspect, but had misidentified his fellow soldier.
In a separate interview to Kan Reshet B Radio, Kochav underscored that the protocol for arresting suspects was "very clear – and according to the probe had been carried out."
"The soldier who fired took part in the probe by the division commander and command head overnight, and he is all right. We will … try to understand what he was thinking, and why the mistake occurred," Kochav said.
When asked if the incident might serve as a trigger to new regulations about when to open fire, Kochav said that the soldiers in question were experienced and familiar with the directives for firing their weapons.
"These are experienced soldiers who know the directives and know the operational mission. We'll try to understand why the communications between them failed. The open-fire instructions are up-to-date, clear, and good," Kochav said.
Interim Prime Minister Yair Lapid sent out a tweet on Tuesday morning saying "The death of Kfir Brigade soldier Staff Sgt. Natan Fitoussi, who was killed last night near Tulkarem, is heartbreaking. In the name of the government and the citizens of Israel, I send condolences to his family and friends. May his memory be a blessing."
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