IDF TRAGEDY: Soldier Warned of Crane Collapse Risk, Commanders Ignored him

The Israeli Military Police Criminal Investigation Division (MPCID) has launched a probe into last week's deadly crane collapse in Gaza that killed two Golani Brigade soldiers and injured eight others, following claims that safety warnings were disregarded.

According to military sources, soldiers from the 51st Battalion allege that one of their comrades warned commanders about unstable ground conditions beneath the crane. The soldier reportedly expressed concerns that the observation post crane, which was being used for surveillance equipment, was at risk of collapse.

The two soldiers killed in the incident were identified as Master Sergeant (res.) Nadav Cohen, 21, from Beit Hanan, and Sergeant First Class Nachman Raphael Ben-Ami, 20, from Eilat.

Key Investigation Points:

- Investigators are seeking to identify who served as the safety expert who approved the crane's operation

- Questions have emerged about why the crane wasn't relocated away from the soldiers' tent compound before the storm

- The investigation will examine claims that the crane was positioned on unsuitable ground

- Military sources acknowledge storm warnings were received, but say no one anticipated the severity of the risk to the crane

"While checks were conducted for the tents and soldiers' safety, it remains unclear whether similar safety assessments were performed for the crane's positioning," a military source told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit responded: "The IDF shares in the families' grief and will continue to support them. The incident is under investigation, and findings will be transparently presented to the bereaved families and the injured. The Military Police Criminal Investigation Division has opened an investigation into this tragic event."

The investigation is expected to expand beyond this specific incident to examine the broader use of observation cranes across all IDF sectors.

The fatal collapse occurred around midnight last Wednesday during severe weather conditions in northern Gaza's buffer zone, when strong winds toppled the unmounted crane onto a military position.

Walla! contributed to this article.