The preliminary investigation of the bomb under the Merkavah-3 tank that killed three Israeli soldiers last Thursday night shows that the tank\'s protective components were as effective as planned. The fact that the fourth crewman\'s life was spared is cited as proof.
The findings show that an extra plate of armor on the underside of the tank could not have prevented the damage caused by the particularly powerful explosive, and the IDF emphasizes, \"No tank in the world could have withstood such an explosion.\" Itim News Agency reports that ammunition in the tank did not explode as a result of the bomb, nor did a fire break out. The investigative committee praised the tank commander and his crew for reacting with determination to reports of a terrorist attack against a civilian bus and for heading to the site of the attack. The bomb was detonated by remote control as the tank made its way to the scene.
The findings show that an extra plate of armor on the underside of the tank could not have prevented the damage caused by the particularly powerful explosive, and the IDF emphasizes, \"No tank in the world could have withstood such an explosion.\" Itim News Agency reports that ammunition in the tank did not explode as a result of the bomb, nor did a fire break out. The investigative committee praised the tank commander and his crew for reacting with determination to reports of a terrorist attack against a civilian bus and for heading to the site of the attack. The bomb was detonated by remote control as the tank made its way to the scene.