Israeli pilot dies after F-16I ejection following Gaza attack

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, an Israeli military spokesman said the pilot and navigator were returning to their home base southwest of Beersheba around 5 p.m. when, "for some reason, they felt the need to eject.” 

According to Defense News, the pilot was killed as a result of the ejection while the navigator suffered only light injuries. 

As of 10 p.m. on Wednesday, the Israeli military could not say whether a technical malfunction or human error was to blame for the Class A mishap. 

However, in an indication that human error was to blame, Lerner said the Air Force did not plan to ground the F-16I fleet pending the ongoing investigation. 

"We have no specifics yet to offer. It happened while they were landing. … An inquiry is ongoing to review the circumstances,” Lerner told Defense News.