Last update - 00:00 07/03/2007
IDF soldier badly injured during training accident in north
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
An Israel Defense Forces soldier was moderately-to-seriously injured late Tuesday in a training accident near the Golani Junction in the north.
As a result of the accident, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi ordered all training exercises in the Ground Forces and Northern Command halted pending an investigation.
The soldier, who serves in a reconnaissance unit, was hurt during a navigation exercise. According to initial reports, which have not yet been verified, the soldiers were supposed to practice shooting using blanks, but a live bullet was apparently left in a magazine by mistake.
One of the soldiers fired the bullet and struck the other soldier on his shoulder. Initially, the wounded soldier was listed in serious condition. His condition stabilized after he was evacuated to the Poriya Hospital in Tiberias. His family was notified of the accident and the IDF's criminal investigation division is looking into the incident.