Two kibbutz residents killed by Israeli army on 7 October 2023, probe finds

An investigation by the Israeli army into the deaths of Dikla Arava, 51, and her son Tomer Arava Elias, 17, who died in the Kibbutz Nahal Oz during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, has found that the two were likely killed by Israeli fire.

The findings concluded that Tomer was first abducted by members of Hamas, who used him to persuade residents of the Kibbutz to come outside. After having escaped, he was mistakenly held as “a suspicious figure” by Israeli soldiers, who then opened fire on him.

The probe, which includes testimonies from soldiers and civilians, was carried out by Colonel Yaron Sitbon, who is responsible for a larger and ongoing investigation into the entire battle at Nahal Oz.

Dikla was killed as a result of Israeli gunfire on a Hamas vehicle which was first headed towards Gaza, and later abandoned.