IDF commander dismissed for endangering forces in Gaza - report

According to the report, a company commander was dismissed and replaced by another commander after ordering soldiers to enter homes in the area despite fears over the houses being boobytrapped.

 The Golani Brigade's 13th Battalion in front of Hamas statue dedicated to killing of soldiers from their unit. December 18, 2023. (photo credit: IDF)
The Golani Brigade's 13th Battalion in front of Hamas statue dedicated to killing of soldiers from their unit. December 18, 2023.
(photo credit: IDF)

An IDF commander in Golani's 51st Battalion was dismissed from his role after endangering Israeli forces fighting in Gaza City's Shejaia neighborhood, N12 reported on Monday evening.

According to the report, a company commander was dismissed and replaced by another commander after ordering soldiers to enter homes in the area despite fears over the houses being boobytrapped, in an incident that occurred some three weeks ago.

The dismissed commander's battalion chief reportedly barred his forces from entering the homes feared as boobytrapped, only to be countermanded by the company commander on the field.

There were no casualties in the incident, as per N12.

 IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip on December 21, 2023 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip on December 21, 2023 (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

Golani's heavy losses in Gaza

The 51st Brigade suffered heavy losses among its ranks since the launch of Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, losing nearly 30 soldiers and commanders in Gaza.

The Brigade was involved in the fierce battles of Shejaia earlier in December, including one in which ambushing Hamas terrorists killed ten soldiers, including several senior officers, with a barrage of gunfire and improvised explosives.