IDF at Sinai border
IDF at Sinai borderFlash 90

A soldier seeking acceptance to one of the IDF’s most elite units collapsed during a trial in the Negev on Wednesday morning. Despite frantic efforts to save him, the soldier was pronounced dead at Eilat’s Yoseftal hospital.

The soldier’s family in Jerusalem has been informed of the tragedy. He has been identified as Yehoshua Hefetz.

The sudden collapse occurred on one of the hottest days so far this year. Doctors are not yet sure if the heat was a factor in the young man’s death.

One decade ago training for elite units was changed following weather-related deaths.

Four years ago, a training accident claimed the life of elite unit soldier Tamir Nebuani, who had been the Druze soldier who advanced the furthest in Sayeret Matkal.