Golani Soldier Found Dead on Base, IDF Launches Investigation
Corporal Liel Shoham, a 20-year-old Golani Brigade soldier from Rehovot, was found dead at a southern Israel base, prompting an IDF investigation into the circumstances. The community mourns his loss as the military examines events following his recent questioning by Military Police.
The city of Rehovot is in mourning following the death of Corporal Liel Shoham, a 20-year-old soldier in the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion, who was found lifeless at the Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel on July 8, 2025. Shoham, who was laid to rest at Rehovot’s military cemetery on Wednesday night, is survived by his parents, Efrat and Yizhar, and three siblings.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Shoham had been questioned by Military Police just hours before his death regarding undisclosed suspicions unrelated to any incidents involving Palestinian Authority Arabs. The IDF stated, “Following the incident, an investigation has been opened. Upon its conclusion, the findings will be transferred to the Military Prosecutor’s Office for examination. The IDF shares the sorrow of the family and will continue to support them.”
While official reports have not confirmed the cause of death, posts on X have speculated that Shoham died by suicide, though the IDF has not verified these claims, and the investigation is ongoing. The Golani Brigade, one of Israel’s elite infantry units, has faced significant losses since the onset of the “Swords of Iron” war following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and abducted 251.
Rehovot Mayor Matan Dil eulogized Shoham, saying, “Our hearts are broken and our souls struggle to comprehend,” reflecting the community’s grief. Shoham’s death adds to the toll of 888 IDF soldiers and 70 police officers reported killed in the conflict as of July 8, 2025. The Sde Teiman base, often used for detainee processing, has been under scrutiny for alleged mistreatment of Nukba prisoners, though no connection to Shoham’s case has been established. Social media posts on X expressed profound sadness, with one user stating, “Liel’s loss is a tragedy, Rehovot mourns a young hero.” The IDF’s investigation aims to clarify the circumstances, as the nation continues to grapple with the war’s heavy toll on its soldiers and communities.