IDF training exercise
IDF training exerciseIDF Spokesperson

Maj. Gen. Moti Baruch, the head of the IDF's Training Command, visited Lieutenant-Colonel Avihai Mor Yosef at Soroka Hospital on Thursday, a day after Yosef was wounded in a friendly-fire incident during training at Tze'elim Army Base in the south.

Baruch was joined by Brigadier General Shai Siman-Tov, a commanding officer at the Tactical Command College who was critically wounded during Operation Protective Edge in 2014.

General Baruch inquired about Mor Yosef's condition and they discussed the incident that took place last night. Lieutenant-Colonel Mor Yosef said in his conversation with the Major General that he is recuperating and recovering from his injuries, and that the concern of his family, commanders, colleagues and commanders strengthens him greatly. The officer added that he hoped he could return to training as soon as possible.

Baruch said he was pleased to see that his situation was improving. He promised that the event would be investigated and lessons learned to act and prevent further training accidents in the future. "We are here with you, all the way," he promised.

Brigadier General Shai Siman Tov encouraged Lieutenant Colonel Mor Yosef and told him that he also lay in a patient's bed after he was wounded in 2014. "I have come today to show you that, in spite of every crisis, together, through the family, the officers and the commanders, your strength can be restored and you can come back to contribute to the security of the State of Israel."

Maj. Gen. Baruch announced Thursday that all live fire exercises would at Tze'elim base would be suspended until the end of the investigation into the incident.