Shin Bet officer dies outside Gaza Strip; reasons unclear
Security forces investigating cause of Amir Maimoni's death, reported to have been friendly fire
A Shin Bet officer died while on a mission just outside the Gaza Strip on Tuesday night, the security service announced Wednesday.
The Shin Bet would not provide additional information about what led to the officer’s death, saying only that “the circumstances of the incident are being investigated.”
According to Israeli media reports, the incident appeared to have involved friendly fire, either an accidental weapons discharge or a case of mistaken identity.
The officer was identified as 29-year-old Amir Maimoni by the Shin Bet on Wednesday afternoon. He was from Zohar, a small community in southern Israel near Kiryat Gat.
The officer’s family was notified of his death. His funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon, the Shin Bet said.
IDF troops have been on high alert around Gaza in recent weeks.
Earlier this week, an army unit came under fire from the Strip.
The forces returned fire.
Palestinian sources said one man was injured, but the army claimed its soldiers only fired their weapons in the air.