Civilian Killed by Accidental IDF Artillery Fire, Probe Finds

“The Misgav Am community bows its head and mourns the passing of Ofer Moskovitz (Pushko),” the statement said.

By United with Israel Staff

A civilian killed Sunday morning in the Misgav Am area near Israel’s northern border was struck by Israeli artillery fire, according to the findings of an initial IDF investigation released later that day.

The victim, Ofer Moskovitz, had first been reported killed following fire in the area amid ongoing hostilities along the Lebanon border. Emergency crews were dispatched after a vehicle caught fire, and after firefighters extinguished the blaze, Magen David Adom medics found Moskovitz trapped inside with no signs of life and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Moskovitz was a resident of Kibbutz Misgav Am, where he served for years as the community’s spokesman. Known as “Pushko,” he was also a farmer and a widely recognized figure in the kibbutz.

A preliminary inquiry later found that he was killed by Israeli artillery shelling carried out in support of forces operating in southern Lebanon.

Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo described the incident as “very grave,” saying, “Ofer (Pushko) Moskovitz was killed by our forces’ fire during a campaign whose entire purpose is the defense of civilians.”

According to the initial findings, several serious operational failures and errors occurred in both the planning and execution of the artillery strike. The shells were fired at the wrong angle and not in accordance with required procedures, causing five shells to hit the Misgav Am ridge instead of enemy targets.

Moskovitz’s family has been informed of the findings, the military said.

The IDF said the conclusions of the initial probe will be studied by all relevant bodies and that a more in-depth follow-up investigation will be conducted. The military said the findings will first be presented to the family and then to the public.

In a statement, the Misgav Am community said it was mourning the loss of a central figure in the kibbutz.

“The Misgav Am community bows its head and mourns the passing of Ofer Moskovitz (Pushko), a member of Misgav Am,” the statement said.

The community described him as “a spokesman, a farmer, a friend, a symbol and a legacy for all of us,” adding that “throughout the years he was the prominent voice of all of us.”

The statement continued: “We send our deepest condolences and a strong embrace to his family and to the entire Misgav Am community. The Galilee will not be the same without him. May his memory be blessed.”

The IDF said it deeply regrets the incident and is sharing in the grief of the Moskovitz family and the Misgav Am community.