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 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.
(photo credit: The Jerusalem Post)