Israeli soldier killed by 'friendly fire' during military training in Negev

An Israeli soldier was reportedly killed by friendly fire during military training, the army announced on Tuesday.

A statement issued by the army said the soldier was shot dead Monday night by fellow soldiers during military training at a base in southern Israel.

It added that the army and military police have launched an investigation.

The Israeli Walla website said that the soldier died at the paratroopers brigade's training base in the northern Negev Desert, "apparently due to a misdiagnosis".

In February, a soldier was seriously injured in gunfire during a paratrooper unit training in Israel’s southern region.

In January 2022, two officers in the army’s Unit Egoz - an elite commando unit specialising in guerrilla warfare - killed in a shooting incident at a military training camp in the Jordan Valley.

Military service is compulsory for Israel's Jewish, Druze and Circassian citizens, with some exceptions. Men are expected to serve a minimum of 32 months, while women must serve for at least two years.