Golani Brigade Officer Fires Mortar in Gaza Without Proper Authorization, IDF Confirms

An investigation concluded recently into an incident from April involving a Golani Brigade platoon operating in the Gaza Strip near the border. According to military sources, an officer fired several mortar rounds from a platoon mortar without official authorization or certification as a "sholeach" (operator). The investigation found that one mortar round failed, but three subsequent rounds were successful.

The IDF stated the officer acted against the Ground Forces' safety protocols, which require mortar firing to be conducted only by certified personnel trained under a safety officer's supervision. The officer had been experimenting and learning various roles within the platoon, including mortar firing, but had not completed the formal qualification.

The IDF spokesperson explained that the platoon commander placed the mortar in a manner exceeding his practical training. Following the incident, the battalion commander reprimanded the platoon commander, and safety procedures were reinforced across the entire battalion. The IDF emphasized that the unauthorized firing did not endanger any troops.