Israel probes friendly-fire killing of Israeli who took down Jerusalem terrorists

Israel Police and Shin Bet investigation has been opened to investigators from the military police.

 Israeli security forces operate in east Jerusalem. (photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE)
Israeli security forces operate in east Jerusalem.
(photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

Yuval Doron Castelman, shot and killed by friendly fire while responding to Thursday’s deadly shooting attack in Jerusalem in which four civilians were killed, was mistakenly identified as an additional terrorist by an IDF soldier responding to the attack.

At least five others sustained injuries during the attack.

The IDF spokesperson subsequently stated that the investigation into the incident, initially launched by the Israel Police and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), had been broadened to include military police investigators.

The attack was carried out by two brothers, Murad and Ebrahim Nemer, from Tsur Baher in east Jerusalem who had previously been convicted of terror attacks.

Hamas later stated that the attackers were affiliated with it.

 Israeli security forces detained five people in an overnight operation in east Jerusalem. December 1, 2023. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)
Israeli security forces detained five people in an overnight operation in east Jerusalem. December 1, 2023. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

Expanding security operations

The police later stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had instructed Israeli security forces to bolster operational activity in the neighborhood where the Nemer brothers had lived which is close to Kibbutz Ramat Rahel.

Israeli security forces made five arrests in the area.

The detained individuals, four adults and one minor, were arrested for their participation in recent violent events, including throwing Molotov cocktails at the “Integrated Service Center” building which works to provide both police and civilian services to the local residents.