New revelations from the investigation into the fall of 55th Brigade soldiers in Lebanon
The exceptional power of the explosion that led to the fall of Staff Sergeant (res.) Harel Birenstock and Sergeant Major (res.) Tamir Vaknin raised suspicion of an unexploded IAF ordnance - which was ruled out. The assessment is strengthening that it was an old explosive device that was reactivated; the IDF is checking whether Hezbollah terrorists booby-trapped the structure after it was scanned.
The IDF continues to investigate the fall of Staff Sergeant (res.) Harel Birenstock and Sergeant Major (res.) Tamir Vaknin, reserve soldiers in the 2855th Battalion of the 55th Paratroopers Brigade, following the explosion of an explosive device in the village of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon, between the city of Tyre and the Israeli border. Four other soldiers were seriously wounded in the blast.
Walla has learned today (Saturday) that the power of the explosion, based on findings collected at the scene, was exceptional for a standard explosive device.
Accordingly, the incident was examined by IAF officials who discovered that several months ago, a bomb was dropped on a structure within a range of more than one hundred meters from the site of the explosion. However, a professional expert determined that even if there had been unexploded ordnance in the area, the damage radius to the collapsed structure is not plausible. Therefore, the possibility that it was unexploded ordnance was ruled out in principle.
Several lines of inquiry were examined. The commander of the Galilee Division, Brigadier General Yuval Gaz, conducted an in-depth investigation into the manner in which the structure was cleared of explosive devices.
The initial investigation shows that the force entered the structure after it was scanned, exited it to continue its mission, and when it passed by the structure again, a powerful explosive device was activated. Within the IDF, the assessment is strengthening that it was an old explosive device.
At the same time, the Northern Command confirms that Hezbollah is operating in the area and attempting to challenge the IDF. It is possible that a Hezbollah cell handled the explosive device in a way intended to harm IDF forces operating in the sector.
The investigation continues and has not yet been concluded by the Northern Command commander, Major General Rafi Milo, in order to delve into the findings being collected in the field by various parties.
