An Israeli investigation into the "Al-Garmaq Bridge" incident

The Israeli Government Supervisory Authority announced today that it will open an investigation into the deaths of 45 people during a stampede during a Jewish religious ceremony last week.

Comptroller Mattaniahue Engelman said that his office, which monitors the work of the Israeli government, will examine the circumstances surrounding the incident in Jabal al-Jarmaq.

He added to reporters, "I would like to announce today that I intend to open a special investigation into the circumstances that led to that tragedy."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also promised a thorough investigation, but he did not reveal what form it would be or who would conduct it.

"We will discuss in an organized, in-depth and responsible manner all issues related to the gatherings on the mountain in the present and the past," he said at a memorial session for the dead in Parliament.

He added that among the matters that will be subject to discussion are entry and exit procedures, the deployment of police and "above all, the necessary structural changes at the site."

On Sunday, Israel was marked by a public day of mourning, after one of the worst civil disasters in its history.

Among the dead were six Americans, two Canadians, one Briton and one Argentine.

Engelman's office can conduct a thorough investigation and make public its findings public, but no criminal charges will be filed.

Many in Israel have called on the government to form a higher commission with broader powers to investigate what happened.

Questions have been raised as to whether the government and police have refrained from reducing the numbers of participants so as not to anger powerful clerics and politicians.

Engelman said he would investigate the actions of all groups and stakeholders before and during the ceremony "from the level of decision makers to those in the field, including law enforcement."

His office will also look at the complex's maintenance procedures over the years and whether the authorities have dealt with past shortcomings.

The third objective of the investigation will be to come up with a strategy to deal with major religious celebrations in Israel in order to "prevent the recurrence of this kind of tragedy."

The Justice Ministry said investigators will study whether the police have misbehaved.

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