Officers censured in W. Bank deaths

IDF probe had faulted troop preparation in 4 Palestinians' deaths.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
ashkenazi GOOD 311 (photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
ashkenazi GOOD 311
(photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
Samaria Brigade Commander Maj.-Gen. Itzik Bar will be reprimanded over events which led to four Palestinians losing their lives at the hands of soldiers several weeks ago, IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi decided in a ruling announced Monday overnight.
The Nachshon Battalion commander will also be reprimanded, and the soldier who shot two of the Palestinians dead at a checkpoint will be removed from his position.
In the first incident, two Arab teenagers were shot dead by security forces during a demonstration near Nablus. In the second incident, two Palestinians were killed after being stopped at a surprise checkpoint. The soldiers said the teenagers had tried to attack them with a pitchfork and a beer bottle filled with rocks.
In its investigation of the incidents, the IDF Central Command concluded that the deaths could have been avoided and were the result of tactical mistakes and a lack of preparation by military personnel.
The investigation of the incidents revealed that had the soldiers been better prepared to deal with the protests near Iraq Burin and at the checkpoint where the soldiers were surprised, the four deaths could have been prevented.