The IDF has officially taken responsibility for the deaths of 12 reserves soldiers who were killed in a Katyusha strike near Kibbutz Kfar Giladi during the Second Lebanon War.  “The IDF is responsible for the failures and mistakes that led to these tragic results, and the residents of Kfar Giladi hold no responsibility,” said Brigadier-General Alon Friedman in a letter to the kibbutz.

Several bereaved family members harshly criticized members of the kibbutz in 2006 following rumors that the soldiers were not allowed to make use of bomb shelters in Kfar Giladi.  The soldiers were outside in an unprotected area when the rocket hit.  Kibbutz members explained that the rumors were false, and that the soldiers were permitted to enter all areas of their town.  The letter from Friedman had no significant effect on residents of Kfar Giladi, said kibbutz member Ori Eshkoli, adding, “Our consciences were clean from the beginning.”