Tel Aviv: Tragedy struck in southern Gaza’s Rafah this morning as eight Israeli troopers misplaced their lives in a devastating blast, marking the deadliest incident for the IDF within the Strip since January, Occasions of Israel reported.
Among the many fallen, Cpt Wassem Mahmoud, aged 23, a deputy firm commander within the Fight Engineering Corps’ 601st Battalion from Beit Jann, has been recognized. The names of the remaining seven troopers will probably be launched following notification of their households.
Preliminary findings from an IDF investigation point out that the troopers had been inside a Namer armoured fight engineering automobile (CEV) when the explosion occurred. The incident passed off round 5 am because the convoy, following an in a single day offensive in opposition to Hamas in Rafah’s Tel Sultan neighbourhood, was en path to safe buildings for relaxation, as reported by The Occasions of Israel.
The Namer CEV, positioned because the fifth or sixth automobile within the convoy, was struck by a strong explosion. It stays unclear whether or not the blast resulted from a pre-planted bomb or if Hamas operatives straight positioned an explosive system on the automobile. Investigators are additionally contemplating whether or not explosives saved outdoors the CEV contributed to the depth of the explosion.
In accordance with the IDF, there was no change of gunfire throughout the incident, and the automobile was in movement on the time of the explosion.
The deaths of those troopers convey the entire toll of IDF casualties throughout the floor offensive in opposition to Hamas and operations alongside the Gaza border to 307. This determine features a police officer killed in a latest hostage rescue operation and a civilian Protection Ministry contractor additionally misplaced within the battle, in line with The Occasions of Israel.
The deadliest incident previous to right this moment’s tragedy occurred in January, when 21 troopers perished in a blast triggered by Hamas RPG hearth that resulted within the collapse of two buildings.
The IDF continues to research the circumstances surrounding right this moment’s devastating loss, emphasising the continuing challenges and dangers confronted by navy personnel working in unstable areas, The Occasions of Israel reported.
