The body of Yochai Avni, a 40-year-old Israel Prison Service employee and dog handler, was discovered yesterday in his burned-out apartment in the West Bank settlement of Givon Hahadasha. Avni, who worked at Ofer prison and had contact with security prisoners including Hamas Nukhba terrorists, was found with multiple stab wounds and signs of severe abuse.
Concerns were raised when Avni failed to report for duty, prompting friends to check on him. Upon noticing smoke coming from his residence, they alerted the fire department. The subsequent discovery has led to an investigation that is now being treated as a possible nationalist crime.
Initially, police suspected a criminal incident due to the presence of stab wounds. However, the involvement of the Shin Bet security agency in the investigation suggests potential terror links. Many details of the case are currently under a gag order issued by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court at the request of the police.
The circumstances surrounding Avni's death have raised concerns about the safety of prison personnel, particularly those working with high-profile security prisoners. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working to determine whether Avni's professional role may have made him a target.
The Israel Prison Service has not yet released an official statement, pending further developments in the investigation.
* Haaretz and Times of Israel contributed to this article.
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