An investigation by the Israeli occupation forces revealed that Tomer and Dekla Arifa, residents of Kibbutz Nahal Oz near the Gaza border, were killed on October 7, 2023, by Israeli fire due to a case of mistaken identity.  

According to the military's statement, Hamas militants entered the family’s home during the attack, confiscated Dekla’s mobile phone, and streamed a live video on Facebook. The footage, which was widely broadcast across Israel, showed the family inside their home. Tomer was later seen accompanying Hamas militants to neighboring homes, calling on residents to come outside under the militants’ orders.

The investigation stated that Tomer managed to escape and hide in the kibbutz. However, shortly afterward, an Israeli military unit, engaged in intense combat in the area, mistook him for a hostile figure and fatally shot him.  

The report also detailed that Hamas militants abducted Dekla and placed her in a vehicle alongside her late husband and their two daughters, Ella and Dafna, who were later freed in a prisoner exchange deal in November 2023. While the vehicle was en route to Gaza, an Israeli military force fired on its rear section, killing Dekla. After the incident, Hamas militants abandoned the vehicle in the kibbutz, leaving her body inside.  

The military stated that the findings of the investigation were presented to the family in an unusual move, prior to the full review of the battle at Kibbutz Nahal Oz.