The IDF released on Sunday the findings from a probe into a botched commando raid in the Gaza Strip last November, in which Lt. Col. M. was killed and another officer was moderately wounded.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi determined that the mission had failed, but nevertheless the findings demonstrated that the team had acted courageously.
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According to the results of the probe, one of the commanders of the mission decided that they were in danger when the Israeli forces were caught and questioned by Hamas operatives near Khan Younis. That officer, Lt. Col. A., opened fire at the Hamas operatives, killing at least seven of them, including Nour Baraka, a top commander in the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades. However, one of A.'s shots missed the target and hit Lt. Col. M, killing him.
Before he was killed, M. managed to stall for time and allow the members of the mission to create a distraction, which allowed A. to keep firing, A. then took two wounded personnel to the team's vehicle to be evacuated. The decision was made through the mission's command center, with then-Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot present. Once the wounded were loaded into the vehicle, it took off for the rendezvous point from where the Israeli forces could be rescued.
An IDF Yassur helicopter landed in a populated area and evacuated the wounded, all while attack helicopters and fighter jets carried out airstrikes on over 70 Hamas targets. The commander counted his men and women to ensure that no one was left behind. A total of 20 minutes elapsed from the time Lt. Col. A. opened fire until the rescue helicopter arrived.
In light of the findings, Kochavi said that the mission had entailed a few problems that led to the Israeli forces arousing suspicion and being exposed. Issues of planning and execution; the mission's special command and control style, which gave the forces on the ground precedence over the command center; and the special operations branch are to be studied as tactical lessons for future special operations.
Kochavi stressed that IDF special operations were the responsibility of a secret branch that is "second to none," and that he was convinced of its ability to carry out future missions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after the findings were released that "The lessons will be learned and the recommendations will be implemented."
Netanyahu added that he applauded "the courage of the fighters and pilots who operated under very difficult conditions. I wish to congratulate on behalf of the Israeli public Lt. Col. M. for his heroism and his work."
