Tragically on Monday June 2, 2025 three Israeli soldiers lost their lives and two were injured when their convoy encountered a minefield near Jabaliya in northern Gaza. These troops, all members of Israel Defense Forces’ Givati Brigade were engaged in an operation designed to dismantle militant infrastructure within their region.
Sergeants Lior Steinberg, 20, from Petah Tikva; Sergeant Ofek Barhana, 20, from Yavne; and Sergeant Omer van Gelder, 22, both from Maale Adumim have been identified. Two injured soldiers belonging to their unit are currently receiving medical attention.
According to IDF reports, an armored vehicle caught fire after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated nearby and caused its crew to flee for safety before an evacuation convoy including military fire trucks and armored escort vehicles was dispatched for assistance; as they approached an additional IED detonation which caused multiple fatalities and injuries resulting from its explosion, including military engineering teams verifying that multiple explosive devices had been strategically placed to maximize casualties in this heavily mined area.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his condolences on behalf of all Israelis, saying “My wife and I extend our deepest sympathies to the families of our brave fighters… Our hearts ache with them during this most painful period and we will always cherish their heroism.”
This incident illustrates the ongoing risks faced by Israeli forces operating in Gaza. Since ground operations commenced in October 2023, over 860 soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been killed since then; over 400 of those died were while inside Gaza itself. Furthermore, substantial Palestinian casualties have occurred as well with over 54,000 deaths reported by Gaza Health Ministry alone; most deaths among women and children. (Sources: Wikipedia +2 +ApNews)
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The use of IEDs by militant groups in Gaza poses a constant danger to Israeli forces. To mitigate these dangers, the IDF continues to implement various strategies, such as advanced detection equipment deployment and revised operational protocols.
As the conflict progresses, events like Jabaliya explosion illustrate the difficulties and dangers associated with urban warfare in densely populated areas. The international community continues to call for measures that protect civilians while guaranteeing the safety of military personnel engaged in ongoing hostilities.
Wikipedia.org.
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