The IDF says a reservist who died by suicide last month will be able to receive a military burial, after a lengthy legal struggle between the army and the soldier’s family.
Maj. (res.) Asaf Dagan shot himself with his handgun on October 23 while not in active service, which made him ineligible for a military burial.
This morning, the IDF says Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar met with Dagan’s family and presented them with the IDF’s solution, under which he would be buried in a military funeral ceremony, but at a civilian cemetery.
“The IDF went to great lengths to reach an agreed-upon outline with the family, in accordance with a High Court decision, which will help the family bring the late Asaf to a dignified burial,” the military adds.
Dagan was a combat navigator in the IAF for 20 years and served in the Second Lebanon War. Before then, he served in the Paratroopers Brigade.
When he was released from duty in the IAF, he served as a reservist in the Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 8200.
Asaf suffered from PTSD but would regularly show up for reserve duty, according to his family.
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