IDF Spokesperson January 6th, 2009

Friendly Fire Incident

Three IDF soldiers were killed, one was critically wounded, three were
severely wounded and 20 soldiers were lightly to moderately wounded as a
result of an IDF tank shell explosion fired in error during an operation in
the northern Gaza Strip. The shell hit a structure where the soldiers were
located.

The families of the fallen and injured soldiers have been notified.

The incident occurred during an intensive battle waged by Golani Brigade
soldiers against Hamas.

In the hours following the incident other scenarios were taken into
consideration as the cause, including that the explosion was caused by an
enemy anti-tank missile or that the structure was rigged with explosives,
but these were later ruled out.

The injured soldiers received initial medical treatment in the field before
being evacuated by helicopters and vehicles to hospitals in Israel. Heavy
IDF artillery fire provided cover for the evacuation.

Golani Brigade commander, Colonel Avi Peled, sustained light injuries in the
incident. Col. Peled oversaw the evacuation in the field and directed the
artillery and aerial cover via communication systems. Only after all those
injured were evacuated did the brigade commander seek medical attention for
himself.