The fall of Jabo the 14th: The MPCI is investigating, a 'committee to strengthen discipline' has been established"

November 21, 2024   

The Military Police began this morning (Thursday) an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the entry of citizen Ze'ev (Zhabo) Erlich into the fighting scene in southern Lebanon, where he was killed in a clash between IDF forces and terrorists - and upon completion, its findings will be forwarded to the Military Attorney's Office for review. Following the unusual incident, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi appointed a team of experts to examine and strengthen operational discipline and military culture in combat, headed by Maj. Gen. (Res.) Moti Baruch. The team will work on formulating a detailed picture of the situation regarding the maintenance of operational discipline, military orders and procedures, rules of conduct and norms used in army units on the two main combat fronts - North and South. The team will also examine the manner in which a proper military culture is implemented in combat units in both sectors and formulate practical recommendations for strengthening military discipline and culture in combat in general. The team will conduct operational learning with an emphasis on aspects of military discipline and culture from the event of the introduction of Jabbo Y.D. into the combat arena. The team will begin its activities immediately, and will submit its recommendations to the Chief of Staff in about two weeks from today. The team will operate in parallel with the command investigation led by the commander of the Northern Command, Major General Uri Gordin. Land of Israel researcher Javo Erlich, 71, from Ofra, was killed yesterday in a clash between IDF fighters and Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon, after apparently being brought there in violation of procedures. The IDF reported on the circumstances of the incident that a force under the command of the Golani Brigade Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel (reserve) Yoav Yarom, entered the area where the brigade operates in the afternoon, and arrived at an archaeological site with Erlich, who requested to investigate the place. Erlich, who was a civilian but wearing a uniform and armed, was killed in the exchange of fire, along with the fighter, Sergeant Gur Kehati, 71. Colonel (reserve) Yarom was moderately wounded. Even though Erlich did not serve in the reserves, the head of the IDF's reserve unit decided that he would be recognized as an IDF martyr.