IDF investigating after commander allowed unauthorized visit to Lebanon’s Bint Jbeil

The IDF is investigating after the commander of the Givati Infantry Brigade allowed four soldiers to enter the southern Lebanon town of Bint Jbeil for “non-operational purposes” last week.

The four — three reservists and one soldier from the standing army — are bereaved family members whose relatives were killed in Bint Jbeil in previous wars.

Last week, during the ceasefire in Lebanon, Col. Netanel Shamaka allowed the four to enter Bint Jbeil to recite Kaddish, the mourner’s prayer, even though Hezbollah operatives were still holed up in the town.

The IDF, in response to a query, says the soldiers were “brought into southern Lebanon for non-operational purposes” and their entry was carried out “without authorization from the relevant authorities.”

“The incident is under investigation,” the military says.

Yesterday, while speaking at a conference of senior officers, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir mentioned the incident, saying, “He is an excellent brigade commander, but made a mistake. There is a risk in this area. It is still a combat zone.”

“You [tried to do a good thing], and in the end, another bereaved family will also want to enter and recite Kaddish at the place where their son fell,” Zamir said at the conference, according to Army Radio.