Israeli Soldier Detained After Firing 15 Shots with M16 in Attempted Murder Case

An Israeli soldier, Yehuda Elbaz, was ordered by the Supreme Court to be held in full detention after he left his military base without authorization carrying an M16 rifle and fired 15 shots in an attempted murder incident. The event occurred on the night of April 27, 2026, when Elbaz and an accomplice lured a man who had lent money to Elbaz's brother, Gilad Morag, to a prearranged meeting under the pretense of repayment. The group, armed with stones and Elbaz carrying his military weapon, confronted the man and his associates.

During the confrontation, after stones were thrown at a passing motorcycle carrying two men, one of the riders brandished an airsoft gun, prompting Elbaz and his group to flee. They then decided to shoot at the riders with intent to kill. Elbaz fired at least 15 shots from about 40 meters, hitting both men, who sustained injuries requiring hospitalization and surgery. Elbaz fled the scene but was arrested two weeks later while in a car with his mother and sister.

Following the indictment filed two months earlier, the prosecution requested detention until the trial's conclusion. The district court initially allowed Elbaz to remain under house arrest with electronic monitoring, citing lack of prior criminal record and mitigating circumstances related to the victims' behavior. However, the prosecution appealed to the Supreme Court, which ruled to place Elbaz in full detention. His defense argued that his actions stemmed from feeling threatened after the motorcycle rider displayed a gun.

This case highlights the severity of unauthorized weapon use by soldiers and the judicial system's response to violent incidents involving military personnel. Elbaz faces charges including attempted murder, and his detention conditions have been significantly tightened by the highest court in Israel.