JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli Defense Forces officer commanding a unit during an operation near the Gaza security fence was killed by friendly fire.

The officer, identified as Capt. Tal Nachman,21, of Nes Tziona, was shot and killed early Tuesday morning by a soldier from another unit operating in the area according to a preliminary investigation, the IDF said.

The unit that the soldier who fired the gun was from was relatively new to the area. The soldier did not have instructions to open fire, according to Haaretz.

The IDF is continuing to investigate the incident. Friendly fire incidents are rare in the IDF.