Families of settlers killed by Israeli fire on Oct. 7 demand probe

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
6 Jan 2024 12:04
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Israeli families have demanded a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the events that led to the killing of their relatives by Israeli tank fire on October 7.

A screen grab shows an IOF tank arriving at Israeli settler Pesi Cohen’s housing unit in “Be’eri” Kibbutz, on October 7. (Israeli channel 12)

In the Gaza Envelope kibbutz of "Be'eri", Israeli families continue to demand that the Israeli occupation forces command initiate an investigation into an incident in which Israeli settlers were killed by Israeli tank fire on October 7.

The families demanded a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the events that led to the "tragic" event, urging Israeli authorities to divulge the details of the incident. They are also calling for the release of the investigation findings, underscoring the importance of publicizing the results.

Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation forces command claimed that it would carry out a detailed and extensive investigation when operational circumstances allow.

It is worth noting that the families emphasized the significance of receiving information about the investigation results initially, with subsequent disclosure to the public.

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This comes almost a week after an IOF officer admitted, in an interview for The New York Times, that he had authorized a tank to launch two shells at a settler's housing unit in Kibbutz "Be’eri" on October 7. The housing unit had 14 Israeli settlers inside.

Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram recalled ordering the tank commander. “The negotiations are over. Break in, even at the cost of civilian casualties,” as reported by The New York Times.

Shortly after, the tank fired two shells, as seen in footage from a police chopper aired on Israeli Channel 12 news. The shrapnel from the second shell killed Israeli settler Adi Dagan, 68, and injured his wife, Hadas Dagan, 70. Twelve of the 14 Israeli settlers were killed in the Israeli shelling.

Hadas Dagan, aged 70, and Yasmin Porat, 44, were the sole survivors of the Israeli shelling.

It is worth noting that a video was released on October 7 by Israeli Channel 12 showing an Israeli tank firing a shell at a settler's housing unit where Resistance fighters were allegedly barricaded with Israeli captives.

The newspaper added that the published video was filmed from a helicopter belonging to the Israeli police, which was deployed to the area after the incident.

Quoting one of the settlers who fled from an event in "Re'im" and hid in one of the kibbutz, the newspaper reported that she approached an Israeli soldier and asked if the tank shells would harm the settlers. The soldier replied, "They only fire shells at the sides to bring down the walls," but she added that the tank was hit, so another tank was called in, and it resumed targeting the housing unit after arriving at the scene.

The newspaper also quoted Yair Avital, a member of the "standby squad at the kibbutz," as saying that "500 soldiers were standing outside and settlers here are losing blood every minute. And the army that was outside here was standing..."

On its account, Israeli newspaper Haaretz published footage, on December 19, documenting the moment when an Israeli tank fired shells at a settler's housing unit in Kibbutz "Be'eri" in southern occupied Palestine on October 7.

This came after an Israeli witness once again disclosed that Israeli tanks targeted both settlers and members of the Palestinian Resistance on October 7.

Israeli media had previously reported the killing of a 12-year-old girl, Liel Hetzroni, in "Be'eri" Kibbutz in southern occupied Palestine.

After Liel's killing, her grandfather, twin brother, and aunt were reportedly taken to another location, where they, along with more than 10 other Israeli captives, were killed. Subsequently, there were allegations that Hamas set fire to the building. The incident was prominently covered in the Israeli media under the title of " Hamas brutality".