Israel says IDF artillery misfire killed Israeli farmer in Lebanon border war

Israel’s military said Monday that an Israeli civilian was killed by Israeli artillery near the country’s border with Lebanon, acknowledging it as a misfire during operations against Hezbollah as fighting continues.

The Israel Defense Forces said the man, identified as Ofer Moskovitz, a 60-year-old avocado farmer from the border community of Misgav Am, was struck by artillery fire that had been aimed at targets in southern Lebanon.

The military initially believed Moskovitz was killed by cross-border fire but later determined its own forces were responsible, according to Reuters. 

The head of the IDF’s northern command, Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, said in a statement that Moskovitz “was killed by our own forces’ fire during an ​operation whose entire purpose was to protect them.”

IDF said it faced “operational errors” during the strike, including firing at an incorrect angle and failing to follow standard procedures. It said several artillery shells landed inside Israel