An internal Israeli army investigation released today concluded that Israeli reservist Captain Benayahu Melet may have been killed by friendly fire in late July.
The clashes occurred in the northern West Bank village of Tel between local residents and a group of 20 settlers. Four Palestinians and two Israelis died in the late July unrest.
The military report stated that determining the exact source of Melet's fatal injury is impossible. Melet, a resident of the nearby Havat Gilad settlement and member of an army forward defense team, died shortly after a Palestinian seized his weapon during the clashes. The report noted he could have been shot by a terrorist or by accidental fire targeting terrorists.
Details of the West Bank Clashes
Active duty Commander Yuval Ezra also died after being sent to end the fighting. According to the army, Ezra attacked, confronted at close range, and neutralized a Palestinian before his death.
The investigation found that the settlers, initially described by the report as hikers, entered Tel without required security force permission or coordination.
Tel Mayor Walid Zidan told Agence France-Presse at the time that Israeli soldiers fired alongside settlers. Zidan stated that settlers entered the village intending to kill, loot, and burn property.
