Live grenade round fired at IDF troops in friendly-fire incident during training exercise

Despite the shooting, none of the soldiers was wounded. At this stage, it remains unclear why live ammunition was used during the exercise.

A live grenade launcher round was mistakenly fired at a building housing nine IDF soldiers during a 98th Division training exercise at the Paratroopers Brigade training base near Shomria about a week and a half ago, Walla learned on Monday.

The incident occurred during an urban warfare exercise, when a soldier accidentally fired live ammunition from a grenade launcher at a structure in which nine soldiers were positioned to simulate an enemy force.

"The shot was mistakenly fired with live ammunition at a building where there was a simulated enemy force that included nine soldiers. If the soldier who fired had put the ammunition through the window, he could have hit the force, and it could have ended in disaster," a source in the 98th Division told Walla.

Despite the shooting, none of the soldiers was wounded. At this stage, it remains unclear why live ammunition was used during the exercise.

Following the incident, 98th Division commander Brig.-Gen. Mani Liberty ordered an investigation into the circumstances.

No casualties, incident being investigated

"The exercise was stopped immediately; there were no casualties in the incident. The incident is being investigated," the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in response.

The incident follows several other incidents that have occurred in the IDF this year.

In January, a cadet from the Gefen Battalion was seriously wounded when a grenade exploded during a training exercise at the IDF Officers School. Following the incident, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir ordered a halt to all training exercises involving grenade throwing in built-up areas until the investigation was completed.

In July, an officer from the Golani Brigade fired a mortar during operational activity in the Gaza Strip despite not being formally certified to do so. According to military sources, he acted in violation of the Ground Forces' safety regulations.

The IDF said at the time that the mortar fire had not endangered the troops and that procedures were clarified following the incident.