Golani officer asks to resign over incident in which researcher and soldier were killed in Lebanon

The chief of staff of the Golani Brigade, Col. (res.) Yoav Yarom, has asked to resign following an incident last week during which a civilian researcher was allowed into southern Lebanon, without the proper approvals, and was killed alongside a soldier.

Yarom had allowed Israeli researcher Zeev Erlich, 71, to enter the western sector of southern Lebanon to examine an archaeological site — an ancient fortress.

Despite the belief that the area had been cleared, two Hezbollah operatives were hiding at the site and opened fire at the researcher, senior officer, and other soldiers who were accompanying them.

Erlich and Sgt. Gur Kehati were killed in the incident. Yarom and a company commander with the Golani Brigade’s 13th Battalion were wounded.

In a letter to the commander of the Golani Brigade, Yarom says he takes responsibility for the incident despite the fact that an official investigation has not been completed, and asks to resign from the role.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has appointed a general in the reserves to lead a team of experts investigating the circumstances of the incident and Erlich’s entry into Lebanon. In addition, there is a military investigation into the incident led by IDF Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, and a separate criminal probe by Military Police.