IDF: Last night, shots were fired toward suspicious individuals in the Nitzana area. In the initial inquiry into the incident, it was found that following the completion of a planned operational activity, and outside the operational jurisdiction area, an IDF soldier and an Israeli citizen returned in a civilian vehicle. During their drive, they identified a number of masked suspicious engaged in smuggling activity.

It was also found in the initial report that following the identification, the civilian opened fire using his personal weapon and the soldier’s weapon, aiming toward the suspects’ vehicle tires. This caused the vehicle to veer off its route and resulted in the injury of one of the suspects, who was evacuated for medical treatment at a hospital. His death was later pronounced.

The incident is under review.

The civilian’s conduct under the aforementioned circumstances is being reviewed by a joint inquiry team from the Military Police and the Israel Police.