‘Torn and broken’ after desert flood disaster, academy head resigns from post

The head of a pre-army academy involved in last week’s desert hike, in which 10 teenagers were swept to their deaths by a flash flood, announces his resignation from the post.

Yuval Kahan releases a statement, saying he is “torn and broken” over last week’s tragedy in the Judean Desert’s Tzafit River.

“I will never be able to find words that can express the sorrow I feel. The role of the head of the preparatory program is first and foremost an educational role that requires the full trust of the trainees, their families and all those who are involved in the program,” writes Kahan.

“I know that in the shadow of this terrible tragedy, this trust, which is the basis for the ability to lead and educate, cannot exist, so I decided to submit my resignation.”

“I will continue to be committed to everything that will be required of me for the sake of this enterprise and its continuation. I am unable to comfort the families which lost the most precious thing of all, and I join in their sorrow,” he adds.

Kahan and an instructor at the academy — Aviv Bardichev– were released to house arrest on Monday after being arrested on Friday on suspicion of causing death by negligence for ignoring flash flood warnings

They were released to house arrest for five days and are barred from entering the academy’s offices or from contacting anyone involved in the investigation.