IDF chief ends service of officer over Lebanon incident last year in which 2 were killed

The IDF says that Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered severe disciplinary measures against Col. (res.) Yoav Yarom, following a November 2024 incident in southern Lebanon that resulted in the deaths of Sgt. Gur Kehati and civilian researcher Ze’ev Erlich.

However, the move appears to be symbolic since Yarom asked to quit the military shortly after the incident.

According to the military, Zamir accepted the findings of an operational debriefing into the incident and decided that Yarom will receive a severe command reprimand, be dismissed from reserve duty and end his service in the IDF.

The decision follows Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Itai Ofir’s move to close a criminal investigation into Yarom’s actions this month, which recommended he be sanctioned at the command level.

The probe found serious flaws in Yarom’s conduct, including inadequate preparation and execution of the operation and the entry of a civilian into a combat zone without the required approvals or proper operational planning.

Zamir describes the incident as a grave operational failure with tragic consequences, adding that some of the shortcomings point to broader cultural and operational gaps within the IDF that must be addressed at a systemic level.

The military says it continues to accompany the bereaved families.