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Oketz

Alon Shamriz. (Courtesy)
March 4, 2024, 5:37 am
Audio aired of hostage calling for help days before mistaken IDF killing
Canine-mounted camera captures Alon Shamriz yelling ‘please help’ between bursts of gunfire, and trying to alert troops to save him and fellow hostages Yotam Haim and Samar Talalka
By ToI Staff
IDF soldiers walk near the border with the Gaza Strip in Israel on their return from the Gaza Strip, on December 31, 2023, amid continuing battles between Israel and the terror group Hamas. (Menahem Kahana / AFP)
December 31, 2023, 11:06 pm
As 2024 begins, IDF withdraws 5 brigades from Gaza, but says fighting likely all year
Military says rocket launches down to average of 14 per day; ‘We are adjusting the fighting methods,’ spokesman says
By Emanuel Fabian
Yotam Haim, left, and his mother, Iris Haim, in an undated photo. (Courtesy)
December 20, 2023, 10:51 pm
‘Not your fault’: Mother sends love, support to troops who killed son in tragic error
Iris Haim records message for battalion involved in killing of 3 escaped hostages, insisting her family doesn’t blame them for what happened and that they want to meet them
By ToI Staff
Troops and dogs of the Oketz canine unit are seen in the Gaza Strip, in a handout image published November 26, 2023 (Israel Defense Forces)
December 20, 2023, 6:50 pm
IDF dog recorded escaped hostage calling for help days before mistaken slayings
Military probe finds canine entered building where Alon Shamriz, Samar Talalka and Yotam Haim were hiding, five days before they were shot in tragic error by troops
By Emanuel Fabian
A screenshot of Daniel Bloom's Instagram post in which he told of his experiences as a gay soldier in the IDF. (Instagram screenshot used in accordance with article 27a of the Copyright Law)
August 6, 2023, 10:46 am
Soldier from IDF special forces unit says he was harassed over his sexual orientation
Daniel Bloom says was he locked outside in rain, subjected to homophobic slander without support from squadron, commanders; IDF: Officers spoke with soldiers involved, opened probe
By ToI Staff
Nitzan Tal with rescue dog Paige during an exercise as part of Project Locate, spring of 2023. (Shanie Roth Photography)
August 5, 2023, 2:40 am
Israeli K9 search and rescue training program turns pets into protectors
Run by alumni of the IDF’s prestigious Oketz unit, Project Locate teaches family dogs to work together with their owners to sniff out disaster victims or intruders
By Tara Feldman
A military dog captured by Palestinians amid a raid in the West Bank city of Dura, near Hebron on July 4, 2022. (Screen capture: Twitter)
July 4, 2022, 11:59 pm
Palestinians briefly capture Israeli military dog set on suspect in West Bank
Border Police and IDF’s Oketz K9 unit seeks to arrest man, who flees with dog clinging to him, later turns himself in to PA; heavy clashes reported amid incident
By Emanuel Fabian
Illustrative photo of IDF soldiers with a trained army dog during a drill, April 2, 2014. (Gershon Elinson/Flash 90)
August 6, 2017, 3:55 pm
Indian PM’s security goes to the (Israeli) dogs
India buys dozens of highly trained four-footed graduates of IDF’s canine unit to boost protection of senior officials
By Stuart Winer
Sgt. Ayin, who shot and injured a terrorist who killed three Israelis at the Halamish settlement on July 21 (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
July 22, 2017, 2:08 pm
Soldier who shot Halamish terrorist: ‘I didn’t think, I acted immediately’
Sgt. A. recounts shooting Omar al-Abed ‘through the window’; he had helped thwart a violent break-in by Palestinians into his home in 2014
By ToI Staff
Palestinian protesters throw stones at an Israeli military car during a rally at the main entrance at the Qalandiya checkpoint, on March 30, 2013. (photo credit: Issam Rimawi/Flash90)
March 8, 2016, 2:59 am
IDF soldiers mistakenly drive through Palestinian village
A week after Waze misdirection set off riots, Military Police drive through Anata, north of Jerusalem, without incident
By ToI Staff
Palestinians look at the debris from clashes between resident and Israeli security forces in the Qalandya refugee camp on March 1, 2016. (Flash90)
March 2, 2016, 8:37 am
Officer sent to jail, 3 dressed down over Qalandiya foul-up
Harsh punishments for commanders of soldiers who accidentally drove into West Bank refugee camp on Monday night, sparking clashes
By Judah Ari Gross
Palestinian protesters throw stones at an Israeli military car during a rally at the main entrance at the Qalandiya checkpoint, on March 30, 2013. (photo credit: Issam Rimawi/Flash90)
March 1, 2016, 10:44 am
Troops rescued from Qalandiya followed Waze navigation app
After deadly clashes in Palestinian refugee camp, defense minister says soldiers should use maps and not rely on computerized directions
By ToI Staff
Israeli forces during clashes on November 2, 2014 at the Qalandia checkpoint. (Issam Rimawi/Flash90)
March 1, 2016, 7:15 am
Palestinian killed, 10 troops hurt in Qalandiya clashes
Intense fighting reported after two Israeli soldiers rescued from apparent mistaken foray into refugee camp north of Jerusalem
By Judah Ari Gross
Illustrative photo of Israeli border police and soldiers clashing with Palestinians shooting fireworks at the Qalandiya checkpoint on July 24, 2014. (Issam Rimawi/FLASH90)
March 1, 2016, 12:38 am
IDF rescues 2 soldiers from Qalandiya refugee camp
The two split up after their jeep was hit by firebombs; one Palestinian killed, dozens injured in ensuing clashes
By Judah Ari Gross
Illustrative photo: A soldier in the IDF's elite canine unit, Oketz. (photo credit: Omer Messinger/Flash90)
March 5, 2015, 11:14 pm
Army temporarily halts use of dogs in West Bank
Internal IDF inquiry into a dog attack on an unarmed Palestinian found soldiers to have acted immorally, unprofessionally
By Mitch Ginsburg
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