Yehuda Ben-Yosef, 22, was accidentally killed by 'friendly' fire when an army squad mistook him and a companion for terrorists outside Hevron. They had been privately hired to guard the area where they were keeping watch at an outpost near the Pnei Chever settlement in March 2003. At the same time, a paratroopers unit had been informed that terrorists were in the area. The tragic incident began when soldiers sighted the two Israelis driving north of Pnei Chever, and signaled the driver to stop. When they saw that he was armed, they opened fire, mortally wounding him. The other guard apparently tried to run away, but an Israel Air Force helicopter called to the scene fired and killed him as well.
Yehuda believed in guarding such places where others were not prepared to go. He loved the land and would visit everywhere. Surviving are his parents and four brothers and sisters.
A memorial was erected at the site by family and friends, with the assistance of the Mount Hebron Regional council, which was inaugurated in 2004.
