An IDF soldier was killed and three other soldiers were injured as a result of a grenade explosion at the Kfir Brigade training base in the Jordan Valley on Motzei Shabbos at about midnight.

An IDF statement said: “An IDF soldier was killed and three other soldiers were injured as a result of a grenade explosion in the barracks at the IDF base in the Jordan Valley. After resuscitation efforts, one of the soldiers was pronounced dead. Another soldier was seriously injured and two soldiers were slightly injured.”

“The military police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident. At the end of the investigation, the findings will be forwarded to the Military Prosecutor’s Office for consideration. The soldiers’ families have been notified.”

According to a preliminary investigation, a soldier apparently picked up a grenade at the firing range during a training exercise and brought it into his room on the base and put it in his bag, in violation of the IDF’s safety regulations. The soldier was not playing with the grenade but it apparently exploded when his bag was moved.

Following the incident, the IDF ordered a temporary halt of training exercises. Training will be resumed after an evaluation of ammunition and weapons will be carried out as well as the completion of courses on the subject by IDF commanders and soldiers.

The niftar was later identifed as Corporal Denis Zinoveiv, z’l, 18, of Petach Tikvah.

The tragic incident is the latest in a series of soldiers’ deaths in training or work accidents, with seven soldiers killed in such incidents since January 2022.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)