"Professional" failings were found, however. These preliminary conclusions were released Thursday, following an inquiry into the incident.
The incident in question occurred on December 3, east of the PA-controlled city of Jenin in central Samaria. Members of the elite Naval Commando unit were on a mission to apprehend wanted Islamic Jihad terrorist Mahmoud Khmel. At one point, the soldiers fired and wounded Khmel, and later shot him to death. Based on testimony of Arab witnesses, the B'tselem civil-rights group accused the forces of killing Khmel even after they had taken his gun and he no longer posed a threat. The soldiers explained that under the circumstances and in the context of active combat, he was still a threat, and that wounded terrorists have often shot at Israeli troops.
IDF Central Commander Moshe Kaplinsky ordered the opening of an investigation into the use of force in the incident, and Naval Commando activities were suspended.
Following the release of the preliminary conclusions by the head of the inquiry team, Galilee Division head Brig.-Gen. Ya'ir Golan, the Naval Commando has been ordered back to action. First, however, Kaplinsky and Navy Commander Maj.-Gen. David Ben-Besht, in consultation with Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon, recommended that a number of operational procedures relating to combat in Judea and Samaria be reemphasized to Naval Commando and other IDF soldiers.
The Chief of Staff, OC Central Command and the Navy Commander expressed their full confidence in the officers and soldiers of the Naval Commando team, and praised their operational activity in the fight against terror.
The inquiry team's final conclusions, when ready, will be presented to the GOC Central Command and to the Chief of Staff.
The incident in question occurred on December 3, east of the PA-controlled city of Jenin in central Samaria. Members of the elite Naval Commando unit were on a mission to apprehend wanted Islamic Jihad terrorist Mahmoud Khmel. At one point, the soldiers fired and wounded Khmel, and later shot him to death. Based on testimony of Arab witnesses, the B'tselem civil-rights group accused the forces of killing Khmel even after they had taken his gun and he no longer posed a threat. The soldiers explained that under the circumstances and in the context of active combat, he was still a threat, and that wounded terrorists have often shot at Israeli troops.
IDF Central Commander Moshe Kaplinsky ordered the opening of an investigation into the use of force in the incident, and Naval Commando activities were suspended.
Following the release of the preliminary conclusions by the head of the inquiry team, Galilee Division head Brig.-Gen. Ya'ir Golan, the Naval Commando has been ordered back to action. First, however, Kaplinsky and Navy Commander Maj.-Gen. David Ben-Besht, in consultation with Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Moshe Yaalon, recommended that a number of operational procedures relating to combat in Judea and Samaria be reemphasized to Naval Commando and other IDF soldiers.
The Chief of Staff, OC Central Command and the Navy Commander expressed their full confidence in the officers and soldiers of the Naval Commando team, and praised their operational activity in the fight against terror.
The inquiry team's final conclusions, when ready, will be presented to the GOC Central Command and to the Chief of Staff.