The IDF finally rejected the request of the families of Alon Shamriz and Yotam Haim to recognize them as fallen IDF soldiers. The head of the ACA, Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, officially informed the families, but left open the possibility of establishing a committee to discuss the issue in the future.
Shamriz and Haim were accidentally shot dead last month in Gaza's Sajaiya neighborhood, along with Samer al-Talalqa. The three managed to escape from the apartment where they were being held, and although they came out naked with their upper bodies naked and holding a white cloth, they were shot by a slingshot that believed they were terrorists. Two of them were killed instantly, and another abductee was later shot dead – contrary to the battalion commander's order to cease shooting. The IDF's investigation revealed many deficiencies in the force's functioning.
Last month, Shamriz's family appealed to the IDF to be recognized as an IDF martyr. The requests were denied, but Shamriz's family asked to reconsider them, claiming that he was supposed to enlist that day under Order 8, like the rest of his comrades in the Yahalam unit. The unit issued calls to arrive immediately on the morning of October 7, and many fighters reported before they officially received Order 8.
Head of the Israel Defense Forces Yaniv Asor (Archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The families' request was discussed by the ACA, and brought to the Chief of Staff's decision. The arguments for accepting it relied mainly on the fact that this was an exceptional event considering the circumstances of their deaths, which justified deviating from the rules. On the other hand, it was argued that such a decision would be contrary to the law which states that the victim fell in the course of his service in the IDF (regular, permanent or reserve) or in the framework of other security forces, and that as civilians it is possible to preserve and live a solution within the framework of the law for victims of hostilities.
At the end of the hearing, the IDF decided to reject the request. The main concern was precedent, which would lead to additional similar demands. A senior military source said that during Black Saturday there were other Israelis who were accidentally shot by IDF soldiers, and lawyer Yuval Castleman was also shot by a uniformed soldier after neutralizing a terrorist in Jerusalem. The source added that in any case there is no difference in the conditions that the families of those who fall in uniform and on civilians receive, the difference is in the entity that grants them – the National Insurance Institute or the Ministry of Defense. "Our hearts are with them, but we couldn't comply with the request," he added.
The sign found in the house where the three abductees who were accidentally shot were staying, photo: IDF Spokesperson
Following the decision, the head of the ACA, Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, spoke yesterday with Shamriz and Haim's parents, and informed them that their request had been rejected. He told them that at the end of the war, the possibility of establishing a special committee to reexamine the decision would be examined, including the possibility of recommending legislative adjustments. The official assessed that the chances of this happening are not high, noting that even civilians who fought on October 7 and were killed defending their homes did not receive such status because the law designates it for security servants.
In recent days, another idea has emerged – to give Shamriz, Haim and al-Talalqah a special commendation for their performance in the incident in which they were shot. This issue has already been raised with senior IDF officials, and it is doubtful whether it will materialize for the same reason that civilians are involved. The IDF is expected to establish a special committee at the end of the war to recommend awarding citations – and there will probably be many, including decorations – but it seems that the awarding of citations to civilians will be left to the civilian systems. In light of the exceptional scope of the incident and the amazing displays of courage that took place during it, it is possible that a civilian committee will be established to examine the issue, but as far as is known, the government has not yet addressed the issue.
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