The IDF reported on Friday that Efrat Katz was likely killed on October 7 by friendly fire when an airstrike by an Israeli Air Force combat helicopter hit the vehicle that she was being held captive in during Hamas's assault on Nir Oz.
The investigation found that the existing surveillance systems used by the IDF were unable to detect that Katz and other hostages were in the vehicle along with the Hamas terrorists.
An IDF-designated team investigated the incident and reached the conclusion concerning the circumstances surrounding Katz’s death based on footage from the combat helicopter, UAV, security cameras of the Kibbutz, testimonies of the aerial crews that operated in the area, and Katz’s family members’ accounts.
Katz’s family was informed on Friday about the investigation’s findings.
The IDF's October 7 failing
“On October 7, the IDF failed its mission to protect civilians and went to war,” the IDF statement said. “During the surprise attack, Hamas and other terrorist organizations invaded several Israeli communities, murdering both Israeli and foreign citizens.
“From the findings of the examination, it appears that during the battles and airstrikes, one of the combat helicopters that took part in the fighting fired at a vehicle that had terrorists in it and which, in retrospect, based on the testimonies, also had hostages contained within.”Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force Maj.-Gen. Tomer Bar described the incident as “a tragic and unfortunate event that took place amid of fighting and conditions of uncertainty.”He did not find fault in the conduct of the aircraft crew, who were said to have “operated in compliance with the orders in a complex reality of war.”The statement concluded with a message that the IDF shared in the Katz family’s grief and a promise that it would continue to examine the events of October 7, which would be made available to the public.