Four IDF soldiers were killed and six others wounded when their convoy was struck by an explosive device in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza. The incident occurred around 10:00 AM on Shabbat morning when the soldiers, part of the Deputy Commander's unit of the Nahal Brigade, were traveling in open Humvees along what was designated as a secured "rear route" on the outskirts of Beit Hanoun.
The powerful explosive device, reportedly similar to those previously used by Hamas, caused extensive casualties: four soldiers were killed, two seriously wounded, and four others sustained moderate injuries. Lt. Col. Shlomo Shiran, the Nahal Brigade Deputy Commander, was present but unharmed in the attack.
Military investigators are examining whether the initial explosion was followed by gunfire, suggesting a possible ambush by militants who may have both planted and detonated the device before opening fire on the convoy. The route was considered cleared of militant presence, which is why forces were permitted to travel in open vehicles rather than armored ones, following standard IDF protocols for secured areas.
The wounded were rapidly evacuated to Israeli territory by helicopter. Initial IDF assessments indicate that unlike a previous incident, this explosive device was not fashioned from unexploded Israeli ordnance.
The Beit Hanoun operation, now in its second week, is expected to continue for several more weeks. IDF officials state its objective is to thoroughly clear the area of militant presence and infrastructure, aiming to secure the safety of nearby Israeli communities including Sderot, Erez, and Nir Am, particularly from anti-tank and sniper threats targeting homes and the Sderot railway line. The operation has reportedly eliminated dozens of militants in Beit Hanoun.
Senior IDF officers emphasized the operation's strategic importance: "We have clear, achievable goals. We aim to create a fundamentally different long-term security situation in the area."
Credit: Doron Kadosh
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