What happened? Israel reacts in shock to the tragic attack in Gaza

Tragedy in Northern Gaza: IDF Tracker Killed, Five Soldiers Wounded in Hamas Ambush

A deadly attack unfolded on Saturday afternoon in northern Gaza, claiming the life of an Israeli tracker and leaving five other soldiers wounded—three of them critically—in what is now considered one of the most devastating incidents since the IDF renewed its Gaza offensive in March.

The fallen soldier has been identified as Warrant Officer G’haleb Sliman Alnasasra, 35, a tracker from Rahat in southern Israel. Alnasasra, who came from a family of IDF trackers, served in the Northern Brigade of the Gaza Division and is the first Israeli soldier to be killed in Gaza since hostilities resumed.

The incident began at approximately 12:58 p.m. in the “Svivon” neighborhood of Beit Hanoun, near the Israeli communities of Nir Am and Mefalsim. While an unarmored IDF vehicle was traveling along a logistical military route used for rear operations, two Hamas operatives emerged from a tunnel and fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) directly at the vehicle. Inside were three female combat intelligence soldiers from the 414th Border Defense Corps. Two of them—a commanding officer and a combat medic—were critically wounded, while the third sustained moderate injuries.

According to a preliminary IDF investigation, the attackers likely emerged from a tunnel that IDF engineers had been working to neutralize throughout the week. Explosives had been placed in the tunnel the previous day, possibly prompting the militants to stage an ambush before it was destroyed.

Shortly after the RPG strike, a rescue force led by the commander of the Northern Brigade, Col. G., arrived at the scene. The team included his forward command group and a group of trackers. At 1:25 p.m., a powerful roadside bomb was detonated next to the rescue team's vehicle as it moved along what was supposed to be a secured route. The explosion killed Alnasasra and seriously wounded two additional trackers. The brigade commander was unharmed.

Medical teams responded swiftly, including air force evacuation helicopters that transported the wounded to hospitals in central Israel. In total, one soldier was killed and five others wounded in the series of attacks.

Alnasasra leaves behind a wife and three children. Known for his bright smile and generous heart, friends and fellow soldiers described him as a man who always sought to help others and was deeply committed to his country. "G-d always takes the best," one friend said. "There will never be anyone like him. It’s hard to speak of him in the past tense. This is a painful day for us all."

Former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and MK Benny Gantz both issued public condolences. Gallant stated, "I send my heartfelt condolences to the family of Warrant Officer Ghaleb, a tracker in the Northern Brigade who fell today in northern Gaza. I wish a swift recovery to all our wounded soldiers and stand with the IDF as they fight heroically to bring home the hostages and defeat Hamas. The IDF will exact a heavy price and intensify pressure on Gaza with full force until all war objectives are met."

Benny Gantz wrote: "Very painful news this evening as Passover comes to a close, with the loss of Warrant Officer Ghaleb Sliman Alnasasra in combat in Gaza. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and wish a full recovery to all the wounded from the incident."

As Israel continues its ground operations in Gaza, this attack underscores the persistent dangers IDF troops face and the high human cost of the conflict.