IDF relieves from duty Duvdevan soldier after he kicks in the face a Palestinian man who assaulted his unit during undercover exercise

A combat soldier from Duvdevan Unit was relieved from duty after he kicked a Palestinian man in the face during a training mission, Ynet learned on Wednesday.

The incident occurred two weeks ago, when a number of undercover soldiers left on an exercise in the West Bank village of Ramon, and were suddenly attacked by four Palestinians who assaulted them with a knife and an iron rod; one of the soldiers was moderately injured in the incident.

The soldiers responded by opening fire, and hit two of the Palestinians; one of them was seriously injured and died of his wounds several days later at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. After the situation was under control, the soldiers called for military backup and medical assistance. While waiting for the units to arrive, one of the soldiers kicked in the face one of the Palestinians who was sitting on the ground bound, in front of his friends.

After probing the incident, the IDF decided to relieve the soldier from duty, and he may face a Military Police investigation as well. IDF officials stressed that the soldiers acted with utmost professionalism and responded according to protocol, considering the complex circumstances of the incident.

The decision to dismiss the soldier, they added, was based on his severe display of wrong judgment. Itamar Fleishman contributed to this report (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 04/18/12)