IDF reservists say commander ordered them to fire on kidnappers even if captive will be hit.
By JPOST.COM STAFFGilad Schalit 248.88(photo credit: Courtesy)
The IDF has instructed its troops serving near the Gaza border to foil kidnapping attempts at any cost, even if it means harming the captive.
Israel Radio on Thursday morning quoted reservists as saying that during a briefing before a recent Gaza operation, their division commander told them that IDF directives to all soldiers serving in the Kerem Shalom area were to open fire on the kidnappers even if the captive will be hit in the process.
The commander, giving out instructions at the Tzehilim base some two weeks ago, reportedly emphasized that this procedure was not followed when Gilad Schalit was captured. He was quoted as saying that the tank unit that arrived on the scene during the cross-border raid did not properly understand what had happened and did not open fire as it was required to.
In response to the report, the IDF said that it would not disclose its procedures to the media and that it would certainly not go into details about military briefings given to troops.
However, an IDF source told Israel Radio that in the case of a kidnapping attempt, troops were instructed to "attack, reach their target and not be afraid."
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