Israeli trooper killed, 3 wounded in accidental ordnance explosion at army base

The three soldiers have been hospitalized, one in serious and two in mild condition, Israel Hayum reported.

The IOF has launched an investigation into the tragic incident. According to preliminary findings, the deceased soldier – whose name has not yet been released – found the ordnance in a firing zone, put it in his bag, and brought it into his room that he shared with fellow soldiers. It later exploded under circumstances not yet clear.

The news comes just one day before Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi ends his tenure as IDF chief of staff and a week after the military said in its annual report that six soldiers died in work or training accidents in 2022.

The ordnance blast is the second accidental death to occur in the IOF since the beginning of 2023. On Jan. 3, Cpl. Baruch Kabarta died in an apparent accidental discharge incident.