The IDF confirmed on Sunday that Petty Officer 1st Class David Moshe Ben Shitrit, a sailor in the Israeli Navy's 914th Fleet was killed Sunday morning during combat in northern Israel.
The IDF added that during the incident two soldiers from the Navy's 914th Fleet were lightly and moderately injured.
David, 21, was a resident of the community of Geva Binyamin (Adam). He is survived by his parents and three sisters. He was the second soldier from the community to fall in combat in the last week.
A Navy and IAF inquiry into the incident found that an Iron Dome interceptor missile was launched toward a Hezbollah UAV. The IDF estimates that a rare malfunction caused the interceptor to accidentally switch its target while in motion and hit the ship instead of the UAV. The missile hit the aft deck of the Dvora-class patrol craft. Parts of the missile, which apparently did not detonate, were found on the deck of the craft.
The IDF is also examining the possibility that the interceptor successfully intercepted the UAV at a low altitude above the ship, and falling debris hit the ship and its crew.
Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya reported that David Moshe was brought to the hospital in critical condition, upon his arrival, he was brought to the trauma room where he was connected to a respirator and was later taken for surgery. Despite efforts to save his life, medical teams had to pronounce him dead.
Binyamin Regional Council chairman Israel Ganz said, "With great pain, we learned this morning that David, son of Shimon and Iris, a council employee and brother of Tamar, Shir, and Hodiya, fell while serving in the navy during the fighting in the north."
"David loved the country and was determined to serve the people of Israel and fight for it. This is a hard blow for all of us and especially for the community of Adam, which last week buried the soldier Mordechai Ben Shoam.
He added, "I would like to offer my condolences to the parents and sisters - we are all with you! And also to strengthen the residents of Adam. Thanks to our heroic soldiers, the nation of Israel will win!"