LGT Aviv Kohavi Visits Scene Where SGT Noa Lazar Was Killed

Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi:
“You, the soldiers, together with additional IDF combat units and Israeli security forces, constitute our first line of defense. Thanks to your ongoing efforts, terrorist attacks are being prevented and counterterrorism activity is carried out on a daily basis.״

A short while ago, the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi, arrived at the scene of the shooting attack which took place last night (Saturday), during which an IDF soldier, the late Sergeant Noa Lazar, was killed near the Shuafat Crossing.

During his visit, the Chief of the General Staff conducted an initial debrief and spoke with commanders and soldiers of Company B of the “Erez” Battalion, where Sergeant Lazar served. 

The Chief of the General Staff visited the area alongside the Head of the Manpower Directorate (J1), MG Yaniv Asor, the Commander of the Jerusalem District Police, Superintendent Doron Turgeman, the Commissioner of the Israel Border Police, Superintendent Amir Cohen, the Chief Officer of the Military Police, BG Avihai Meivar, the Commissioner of the Jerusalem Regional Border Police, Deputy Superintendent Amram Nidam, the Commanding Officer of the “Benyamin” Brigade, COL Eliav Elbaz, the Commanding Officer of the “Erez” Battalion, LTC Hagai Sin Itzik and additional commanders.

Chief of the General Staff, LTG Aviv Kohavi:
“We are meeting under painful circumstances. However, this is still a chance to express gratitude to you, the commanders and soldiers, for your continuous activity throughout the year. 
I would also like to take this opportunity to send my condolences to the Lazar family. I embrace them at these moments and wish them strength.”

“You, the soldiers, together with additional IDF combat units and Israeli security forces, constitute our first line of defense. Thanks to your ongoing efforts, terrorist attacks are being prevented and counterterrorism activity is carried out on a daily basis.
Your efforts are a continuation of the IDF’s activity along the Judea and Samaria Security Barrier and in various roads and across Judea and Samaria as part of Operation “Break the Wave” in recent months. Alongside these efforts, we will need to learn from this incident and draw the appropriate conclusions in order to prevent incidents of this sort from repeating themselves in the future - this is our responsibility and we will do so with deep commitment. 
Be proud of what you do. Despite the difficulties you face, I wish you a happy holiday, and hope you will continue to defend and protect the civilians of the State of Israel through your activity.”

The IDF shares in the grief of the Lazar family and will continue to support them at this time.