Tragedy in Khan Yunis: IDF Soldier Ofri Yafe Killed by Friendly Fire
Tragic incident in Gaza: Stf. Sgt. Ofri Yafe of the Sayeret Tzanhanim fell during overnight activity in Khan Yunis after being misidentified by Israeli forces. IDF has launched an investigation.
The IDF has cleared for publication the name of a soldier killed this morning during operational activity in the southern Gaza Strip: Staff Sergeant Ofri Yafe, 21, from Moshav HaYogev. Yafe was a combat soldier in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit (Sayeret Tzanchanim).
Initial findings regarding the incident, which occurred in the "Yellow Line" area of Khan Yunis, indicate a tragic case of mistaken identity:
A medical evacuation was immediately launched. However, despite emergency efforts, he was pronounced dead during the evacuation before reaching the hospital.
The IDF has opened an official investigation into the circumstances of the incident to understand how the misidentification occurred and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Shlomit Shichor Reichman, Head of the Emek Yizre'el Regional Council, paid tribute to him, saying:
'Our hearts are broken by the loss of Ofri, a son of our valley. He was a brave young man, full of life and values, who chose to serve and contribute to this country out of a deep sense of mission and love for the land. Today, Emek Yizre’el holds the Yafe family and the HaYogev community close. The pain is unbearable, and we stand by the family in their darkest hour. Our entire region is united in mourning and in pain.'"
May his memory be a blessing.