Israeli archeologist was killed along with an Israeli soldier in south Lebanon on Wednesday, as the family of the researcher disputed the occupation military’s count that he was a civilian.
Ze'ev (Jabo) Hanoch Erlich, 71, was killed along with a soldier of Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion, with an officer and another soldier being injured in south Lebanon’s western sector.
Israeli media cited an initial investigation into the incident found that a force led by Golani Brigade Chief of Staff Brig.
Gen.
Yoav Yarom entered the area where the brigade was operating.
Yarom was wounded, while another soldier was seriously injured in the confrontation.
The head of the IDF Personnel Directorate decided to recognize Erlich as an IDF casualty.
The occupation army said the incident was “severe” and will be investigated, claiming that Erlich entered the battlefield as a “civilian” was not authorized as needed by the commanders of the division and command, but was allowed by Yarom.
However, the researcher’s brother, Yigal Amitai disputed the occupation military’s claim.
“Contrary to the IDF spokesperson’s claims, we clarify that Jabo was enlisted and treated in the field as a soldier,” Amitai told Ynet.
“He was fully recognized as a soldier, entering Lebanon with the IDF’s approval and accompaniment, albeit for archaeological research, as he always did in Judea and Samaria,” Amitai said referring to the Hebrew name of the occupied West Bank.
He said he last spoke with Erlich on Wednesday morning before his entry into Lebanon.
“At 11 a.m., he told me, ‘We’re going into Lebanon,’” Amitai added, accusing the Israeli army spokesperson of “shielding senior officers while shifting blame onto mid-level ranks”.
The Israeli occupation army also announced the death of an Israeli soldier, of the Maglan commando unit, and the injury of another, in an alleged building collapse in another incident in south Lebanon, raising the toll of Wednesday battles in south Lebanon to 3 Israelis killed and 3 wounded.
