Israeli Farmer Killed by IDF Artillery Fire Laid to Rest Again Amid Community Tribute

Approximately four months after being accidentally killed by Israeli Defense Forces artillery fire during Operation "Roar of the Lion," Ofer "Pushko" Moskowitz was buried for the second time on Thursday in his home kibbutz, Misgav Am, near the Lebanese border. While his initial burial in a temporary plot at Kibbutz Amiad was sparsely attended due to Home Front Command restrictions amid ongoing conflict, hundreds of friends, family, and military officials from the 91st Division and Northern Command gathered for this final ceremony to honor the farmer and symbol of settlement and Zionism.

Moskowitz’s family shared heartfelt eulogies recalling his 33 years of love, joy, and dedication to family, the Galilee, and Israel. Dekel Moskowitz, his eldest daughter, expressed ongoing disbelief and grief over her father’s death. Community members highlighted the profound impact Pushko had on many lives in Misgav Am, describing him as a beloved figure whose absence leaves a void.

Close friend Ofer Sivan, who co-hosted a weekly agricultural radio show with Pushko, reflected on their friendship and Pushko’s vibrant presence in the community. The gathering featured a communal atmosphere with locally brewed beer dedicated to Pushko, symbolizing mutual support among the mountain settlements.

Pushko, 60, was the avocado crop manager at Misgav Am and was killed on March 22 when an IDF artillery battery mistakenly fired shells that struck his vehicle. An IDF investigation found serious operational errors and deviations from protocol in the artillery fire, which targeted the Misgav Am ridge instead of enemy positions, resulting in five shells hitting the area.

The attendance of senior IDF officers at the funeral was seen as an effort to mend the rift between the military and the settlement community caused by the tragic incident.