IDF clarifies: Body of terrorist erroneously returned to Palestinians

An investigation has been launched into how the body was returned contrary to government directives.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN, JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: APRIL 17, 2016 04:44
Return of Palestinian terrorist body
Israel on Friday erroneously returned to the Palestinian Authority the body of an ax-wielding terrorist who was killed the previous day after attacking IDF soldiers at a military post at Al-Aroub, south of Bethlehem.
The IDF initially confirmed that the body of Ibrahim Baradiah, had been returned to Palestinian custody, but later said the return occurred “following an error that originated in a misunderstanding.”
An investigation has been launched into how the body was returned contrary to government directives.
“The government sets the policy on returning bodies,” the IDF Spokesman said.
In March, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon to stop the transfer of Palestinian terrorists’ bodies since Israel believes their funerals fuel additional violence.
Palestinians hold that these assailants are martyrs and have in the past held mass funerals for them in which their bodies are paraded on gurneys through their home villages or cities.
The 54-year-old terrorist was born in the village of Surif, northeast of Hebron. According to Palestinian reports, he had been a prisoner in Israeli jails for an undisclosed number of years.
Yasser Okbi/Maariv Hashavua contributed to this report.