Baruch Dayan HaEmet
Four IDF soldiers killed by explosive device in Rafah
The IDF has cleared for publication the names of four more soldiers killed in combat in southern Gaza. The fallen, including a major and three lieutenants, were all from the Officers' School and previously served in elite units.
Four soldiers have been killed and three others wounded, one critically, after an explosive device detonated and struck a Humvee in the Janina neighborhood of Rafah. According to reports from Yinon Yitach and Itai Blumenthal, the soldiers were cadets from the 'Dekel' Battalion of the Officers' School, which has been operating in the Gaza Strip for nearly three weeks.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:15 AM. A force from the brigade was on an offensive mission to clear buildings and find underground infrastructure. A D9 bulldozer cleared a path, followed by two Humvees. One of the Humvees reportedly veered off the cleared route and hit a powerful IED. An initial investigation suggests the device was recently planted and hidden along the route. It remains unclear whether the IED was detonated by the vehicle or remotely.
The three wounded soldiers were evacuated to a hospital, with one in very serious condition and two in moderate condition. Israeli defense officials are also investigating the possibility of a sniper firing in the area before the explosion.
The Israel Defense Forces has cleared for publication the names of the fallen soldiers and their families have been notified.
The fallen soldiers are:
Major Omri-Hai Ben Moshe, 26, from Tzafriyah. He was a company commander in the 'Dekel' Battalion, Officers’ School, and previously served as a company commander in the Paratroopers Brigade.
Omri left behind a widow and two children, a one-and-a-half-year-old baby girl and a baby boy just six weeks old.
Lieutenant Ron Arieli, 20, from Hadera. He was a cadet in the 'Dekel' Battalion, Officers’ School, and previously served as a combat soldier in the Golani Brigade.
Lieutenant Eitan Avner Ben Yitzhak, 22, from Har Bracha. He was a cadet in the 'Dekel' Battalion, Officers’ School, and previously served as a combat soldier in the Commando Brigade.
Eitan got married three months ago.
Lieutenant Eran Shalem, 23, from Ramat Yohanan. He was a cadet in the 'Dekel' Battalion, Officers’ School, and previously served as a combat soldier in Sayeret Matkal.
Eran, Ron and Eitan were posthumously promoted to lieutenant.
May their memories be a blessing.