In a tragic case of mistaken identity this afternoon, two Israeli citizens were killed by IDF forces in the Southern Mt. Hevron region. The two were hired guards of a private contractor working in the area.
The IDF released a statement saying that the forces were on high alert, following intelligence warnings of a planned terror attack in the area. A paratrooper unit sighted the two armed citizens driving north of the Jewish community Pnei Chever. Upon seeing one of them enter a car, the soldiers signaled him to stop. When they saw that he was armed, they opened fire, mortally wounding him. The other citizen apparently tried to run away, but an Israel Air Force helicopter called to the scene fired and killed him as well. Residents in the area were informed that a terrorist attack was underway - but the bitter truth soon became known: two Israeli citizens had been killed in error. The IDF expressed sorrow over the incident, and emphasized that the investigation continues.
A Hebron Jewish Community spokesman issued a statement, which read (in part):
"…A terrible mistake cost the lives of two innocent individuals. The IDF must conduct a full inquiry into the matter in order to try and prevent such tragic errors in the future.
"…Israel is presently involved in a bloody war which has cost over 750 lives and thousands of wounded... This tragedy must not prevent the IDF from taking all measures necessary to stop the continued terror killings, both in and around Hevron, and throughout Israel. The same terrorists whom the army expected to apprehend are still free, as are many others, and their sole desire is to kill Israelis and force us out of our land… It must be remembered that those responsible for today's tragedy are not the IDF, [rather] those responsible include Yasser Arafat and his terrorist forces who brought this war upon us…"
The IDF released a statement saying that the forces were on high alert, following intelligence warnings of a planned terror attack in the area. A paratrooper unit sighted the two armed citizens driving north of the Jewish community Pnei Chever. Upon seeing one of them enter a car, the soldiers signaled him to stop. When they saw that he was armed, they opened fire, mortally wounding him. The other citizen apparently tried to run away, but an Israel Air Force helicopter called to the scene fired and killed him as well. Residents in the area were informed that a terrorist attack was underway - but the bitter truth soon became known: two Israeli citizens had been killed in error. The IDF expressed sorrow over the incident, and emphasized that the investigation continues.
A Hebron Jewish Community spokesman issued a statement, which read (in part):
"…A terrible mistake cost the lives of two innocent individuals. The IDF must conduct a full inquiry into the matter in order to try and prevent such tragic errors in the future.
"…Israel is presently involved in a bloody war which has cost over 750 lives and thousands of wounded... This tragedy must not prevent the IDF from taking all measures necessary to stop the continued terror killings, both in and around Hevron, and throughout Israel. The same terrorists whom the army expected to apprehend are still free, as are many others, and their sole desire is to kill Israelis and force us out of our land… It must be remembered that those responsible for today's tragedy are not the IDF, [rather] those responsible include Yasser Arafat and his terrorist forces who brought this war upon us…"