Military prosecutors have announced their intention to indict the former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces’ Golani Brigade, Col. (res.) Yoav Yarom, over his involvement in the circumstances that led to the deaths of Sgt. Gur Kehati, 20, and civilian researcher Ze’ev Erlich, 71, during an incident in southern Lebanon in November 2024.

Yarom was given notice of the intention to indict him, along with an invitation to a hearing, the IDF said Thursday. He faces charges of reckless homicide.

On November 20, Yarom allowed Erlich to enter the western sector of southern Lebanon, in IDF uniform, to examine an archaeological site without the necessary approvals. Erlich had long served in the military reserves despite his advanced age, but was not in active service at the time of his entry into Lebanon.

Yarom and Erlich were joined by a team of soldiers as they entered a medieval fortress in the southern Lebanese village of Shamaa, revered by Christians and Shiite Muslims as the 1st-century burial place of Saint Peter.

There are conflicting accounts regarding the reason for Erlich’s entry. Yarom has said he called Erlich in to use his archaeological expertise to help map out the site, for operational reasons. However, the family of Sgt. Kehati has said they were told by soldiers who were there that it seemed more like Erlich was being given a private tour of the site, and that the operation was not conducted in a professional manner, without proper backup and support for the troops as they entered the site.

Believing the area had been cleared of threats, Yarom led Erlich and accompanying troops to the site, where Hezbollah operatives opened fire, killing Erlich and Kehati. An officer was seriously wounded and Yarom himself was moderately wounded, before the gunmen were killed.

At the time, the IDF stressed that Yarom did not have the authority to approve Erlich’s entry, and that the proper process for civilian access was not followed. Then-IDF chief Herzi Halevi was reported to call the incident “very grave,” and Kehati’s family said he told them he would do everything to ensure a thorough investigation into its circumstances.

Yarom requested to resign from his position a week after the incident.

Kehati’s family said Thursday it believed the decision to prosecute Yarom “is warranted in light of his reckless criminal conduct that caused the tragedy. This will not bring back Gur, of blessed memory, but it is hoped that it will contribute to deterring others in the future. The bereaved family has not yet received an update regarding the criminal measures that will be taken against other officers who were involved in the incident.”