Negligence, lack of accountability led to deadly incidents at Golani Brigade’s Gaza outpost — report

A series of deadly incidents in the Golani Brigade’s outpost in southern Gaza point to what soldiers and commanders describe as a “lack of operational discipline that costs lives,” the Haaretz newspaper reports.

Troops quoted by the paper say repeated warnings to senior officers were ignored and that investigations into the incidents have been superficial, leaving commanders unaccountable.

One of the incidents highlighted by Haaretz is the death of Staff Sgt. (res.) Ariel Lubliner, who was killed Saturday when a guard at the outpost fired at a logistics convoy. Haaretz says the soldier had previously pointed his weapon at the convoy for unclear reasons, but was not removed from his post and continues to serve there.

The IDF confirms Lubliner’s death was caused by an “accidental discharge” and says the case remains under investigation, with findings to be shared transparently with his family.

Another case cited by Haaretz involves Cpl. Amit Cohen, who in July was killed when a civilian drone armed with a bomb malfunctioned and exploded near troops. Soldiers tell the news outlet that Cohen was ordered by commanders to attach the bomb, despite regulations prohibiting such use, and accuse officers of wrongly blaming Cohen for mishandling the device.

The IDF, in response, says Cohen’s death is still under investigation and that his family will receive all findings once the process concludes.

Haaretz also reports close calls at the outpost, including a fire in soldiers’ living quarters, allegedly caused by a discarded cigarette, which damaged equipment and forced an evacuation. The outlet further cites an incident in which a mortar team from the same battalion mistakenly struck a building housing dozens of their own soldiers.

The IDF confirms a fire broke out due to a cigarette — stressing that no injuries or equipment loss occurred — without addressing the alleged mortar incident.

Beyond individual cases, Haaretz describes broader negligence, such as explosives stored carelessly, fatigue from prolonged deployment, and soldiers disregarding basic discipline, including walking barefoot in a combat zone.

The IDF rejects these claims, saying that apart from shower areas, troops are not permitted to be barefoot or unarmed.