Lt. Col. (res.) Yaniv Yarom, the commander who permitted the 70-year-old civilian to enter Lebanon, has requested to step down from his position as head of the Golani Brigade.
The tragic event occurred when Major (res.) Ze’ev Erlich and Sergeant Gur Kehati were killed, and Col. Yoav Yarom was wounded in the same incident. Yarom expressed his desire to resign, stating, "I believe I must take responsibility for the incident that occurred under my command." Despite being moderately wounded by shrapnel, Yarom's condition improved, and he later confirmed that he was in stable, light condition.
"I wish to end my role as the Golani Brigade unit head following this difficult incident," Yarom wrote. "While the investigation is still ongoing, the public has been presented with a picture that is far removed from what actually occurred on the front lines. I will fully cooperate with the investigation, and, based on the values that I hold dear, I believe I must take full responsibility for the incident."
An initial IDF inquiry suggests that Yarom's unit entered an area where the Golani Brigade was operating, near an ancient fortress considered an archaeological site. Two terrorists ambushed the force, leading to the deaths of Erlich and Kehati, while Yarom sustained injuries. This incident is not Yarom's first in Lebanon; he previously lost a leg in 1993 after a mine explosion in southern Lebanon but returned to service after a period of rehabilitation.
Erlich, a 71-year-old researcher from Ofra, was a well-known figure in the study of the Land of Israel. He had published numerous works and served in the IDF during the first intifada. His tragic death occurred during the same incident that wounded the Golani Brigade officer and claimed the life of another soldier.
The military confirmed that Ze’ev 'Jabo' Hanoch Erlich, a major in the IDF reserves, died in combat in southern Lebanon. Yarom expressed his condolences in a letter to Col. Adi Ganon, commander of the Golani Brigade, stating, "I share in the families' grief and wish the wounded a swift recovery."
There are indications that Erlich may have entered Lebanon unlawfully, though the investigation is still in its early stages. Preliminary reports suggest his presence was linked to the archaeological site in the area where Israeli forces were operating. Yarom has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
