IAF to probe how half-ton bomb fell off fighter jet onto southern border town
Military announces investigation into ‘unusual’ incident after unexploded ordinance found in community near Gaza
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Israeli Air Force said it will carry out an “in-depth” investigation after a half-ton bomb fell off a fighter jet and landed in the Gaza border community of Yated on Friday morning.
The bomb fell off a fighter jet amid operations over Gaza, with images showing it landed very close to homes.
“This morning, during an attack by a fighter jet in the Rafah area, a munition fell in the community of Yated,” the military said in a statement.
It noted the munition did not explode and was safely collected by Israeli forces.
“Air Force technical teams arrived at the scene and began an in-depth investigation of the incident,” the statement continued, adding that the investigation will be presented to IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar.
The IDF described the incident as “unusual,” and that the circumstances surrounding it “will be examined in depth.”
תקרית חריגה בעוטף: חימוש ממטוס חיל האוויר נפל במושב יתד, בצה"ל מתחקריםhttps://t.co/7mdbfu9m5M@OrHeller | @bokeralmog pic.twitter.com/WoAPCoEnEs
— חדשות 13 (@newsisrael13) May 17, 2024
The strike in Rafah was carried out moments later, the military said.
