We lost four of our best and brightest in Beit Hanoun yesterday (Shabbat) fighting for this little piece of love we love so desperately: Sgt. Maj. (res.) Alexander Fedorenko, Staff Sgt. Danila Diakov (21), Sgt. Yahav Maayan, 19 and Sgt. Eliav Astuker, 19.
Their command vehicle was struck by a powerful explosive device in Beit Hanoun, marking one of the deadliest incidents for Israeli forces in recent weeks. Five additional troops were wounded in the attack, with two in serious condition, military officials confirmed.
The deadly blast occurred along what was believed to be a secured administrative route in the northern Gaza city, where the Nahal Brigade has been conducting ongoing operations. The soldiers were traveling in an unarmored Humvee as part of a larger convoy when the device detonated. The brigade's deputy commander, who was in a separate vehicle, survived unharmed and coordinated immediate evacuation efforts.
Military investigators believe Hamas militants may have exploited recent stormy conditions and the urban debris to plant their signature type of explosive device. The attack was followed by gunfire, though officials are still determining if some shots may have been friendly fire in the chaos that ensued. Authorities are also probing whether the terrorists could have accessed the area through an previously undetected tunnel.
The incident has raised serious questions about route security in areas supposedly under full IDF control since the early phases of the ground operation. The attack site in Beit Hanoun, which sits just west of the Israeli city of Sderot, was quickly declared a mass-casualty scene as emergency forces rushed to aid the wounded and secure the area.
Today family and friends gathered at cemeteries across Israel to bury Alexander, Yahav, Eliav and Danila.
Alexander Federenko HY'D (37) was from Bat Yam, a heavy truck driver in the 79th Battalion, from the 14th 'Machatz' Brigade.
Yahav Maayan HY'D (19) was from Modi'in, a soldier in the 931st Battalion, Nahal Brigade.
Eliav Astuker HY'D (19) lived in Ashdod, and was a soldier in the 931st Battalion, Nahal Brigade.
May their memories be blessed and may their families be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Baruch Dayan HaEmet.
Ynet contributed to this article.
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