The powerful explosion that killed three Israeli tank crew members in northern Gaza Wednesday may have come from an unexpected source - an unexploded Israeli Air Force bomb repurposed by Hamas militants, IDF officials revealed Thursday.
Defense officials are investigating whether the devastating belly charge that destroyed the tank in Beit Hanoun was crafted from military-grade explosives salvaged from an unexploded aerial munition, following analysis of the blast's unusual intensity and damage pattern.
The attack, which also seriously wounded an officer from the 46th Battalion, occurred despite extensive preventive measures including the use of D-9 bulldozers for route clearing and tactical decisions to avoid main roads. Military sources confirmed they had no prior intelligence about the explosive device's location.
"The explosion was significantly more powerful than typical improvised devices," a military source noted, explaining the investigation's focus on the possible use of military-grade explosives from unexploded ordnance.
In the broader northern Gaza operation, IDF forces report that only several dozen Hamas fighters remain in the Jabaliya and Beit Hanoun areas. These militants have adopted a guerrilla warfare strategy, operating from underground tunnels and conducting sporadic surface attacks - a tactic that has challenged IDF forces and led to casualties over recent months.
The Nahal Brigade has intensified its operations in Beit Hanoun, reporting the elimination of multiple militants and destruction of weapons caches, including mortar launchers. Meanwhile, the Kfir Brigade completed its three-month mission in Beit Lahia and surrounding areas, with soldiers reporting significantly reduced enemy contact across northern Gaza.
"Hamas appears to have largely abandoned its positions in the north," one field commander reported, though military leaders estimate another three to four weeks will be needed to fully secure the area.
Wednesday's deaths of Staff Sergeants Matityahu Yaakov Perel, Kanao Kasa, and Nevo Fisher raised the total IDF casualties since the war's outbreak to 831. The incident marks one of the deadliest attacks on Israeli armor in recent weeks and highlights the ongoing dangers facing troops in northern Gaza despite reduced militant presence.
The military expects to complete operations in northern Gaza, including both Jabaliya and Beit Hanoun sectors, within the next month, though commanders emphasize the challenge of clearing remaining underground infrastructure and preventing militant infiltration from other areas.
N12 contributed to this article.
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