The IDF on Monday morning announced that Ofer ("Poushko") Moskowitz was mistakenly killed by friendly fire during artillery fire toward Lebanon.
Moskowitz’s body was found Sunday morning following a missile strike in Kibbutz Misgav Am, inside a vehicle that had caught fire.
"Pushko. Spokesman, farmer, friend, a symbol and a legacy for all of us," the Misgav Am community wrote in a statement. "Throughout the years he was the prominent voice of all of us. We send our deepest condolences and a strong embrace to his family and to the entire Misgav Am community. The Galilee will never look the same without him. May his memory be blessed."
"Yesterday (Sunday), Ofer (‘Poshko’) Moskowitz was killed as a result of a fire toward Misgav Am. During the evening, an inquiry regarding the incident was conducted, headed by the Commander of the Northern Command, MG Rafi Milo, and several additional senior commanders," an IDF statement confirmed.
"The initial findings suggest that the Israeli civilian was killed by IDF artillery fire conducted to support IDF soldiers operating in southern Lebanon. His family has been notified."
The statement added that, "The Commander of the Northern Command concluded that several severe issues and operational errors took place during the incident, including both the planning and execution of the fire. The artillery fire was carried out at an incorrect angle and did not follow required protocols. As a result, five artillery shells were fired at the Misgav Am ridge instead of toward the enemy target."
The IDF's Northern Command chief MG Rafi Milo spoke following the inquiry into the incident, saying, "This is a very severe incident. Ofer (‘Poshko’) Moskowitz was killed by our own forces’ fire during an operation whose entire purpose was to protect them."
The IDF stressed, "The conclusions of the inquiry will be drawn and reviewed by all of the relevant bodies."
"The IDF expresses its regret over the incident and extends its deep condolences to the Moskowitz family and the Misgav Am community at this difficult time.
"The IDF will conduct a thorough inquiry and will transfer the findings in a transparent manner to the family and then to the public."
In a July interview, Moskowitz recounted his efforts to save the orchards during earlier attacks.
"I opened all the irrigation taps so the water would flood the area, and that’s what stopped the fire from spreading," he said. Despite his actions, around 400,000 square meters of fruit-bearing trees were destroyed in the blaze.