IDF Officer Killed in Gaza Blast: Lt. Uri Gerlitz (20) Laid Down His Life in Khan Yunis Operation

 Lieutenant Uri Gerlitz, a 20-year-old platoon commander in the Shimshon Battalion of the Kfir Brigade, was killed Saturday afternoon in an explosion during a military operation in the Khan Yunis area of the Gaza Strip.

According to a preliminary investigation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the explosion was caused by an Israeli explosive device that detonated prematurely while the unit was encircling a building slated for demolition. The operation was part of an ongoing effort to expand the "Magen Oz" cutoff axis, a strategic corridor in the southern Gaza city.

Lt. Gerlitz, from the town of Meitar, is survived by his parents, including his mother, a high school teacher who works with therapy dogs, an older brother (23), and a younger sister entering 12th grade.

Local Community Mourns: "A Dedicated Officer"

Meitar Council Chairman Shimon Peretz expressed deep sorrow over the young officer’s death:

“All of Meitar bows its head and grieves with the Gerlitz family over the unimaginable loss. We will continue to stand by the family, embrace and support them as much as necessary. Uri was a young, brave and dedicated officer, who dreamed, believed, and sacrificed his life for the country. We all pray and hope this will be the last casualty in this terrible war. May his memory be gentle and engraved in our hearts forever.”

Lt. Gerlitz is the first IDF fatality in the Gaza Strip in nearly a month.

 899 Soldiers Killed Since Start of War

The IDF has confirmed that 899 soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the war, including 454 during ground maneuvers in Gaza. A total of 6,204 soldiers have been wounded, with 2,876 of those injuries occurring during the Gaza campaign.

As of today, 13 soldiers remain hospitalized in serious condition, 150 in moderate condition, and 3 in mild condition due to injuries sustained in combat. IDF data also reveals that 74 soldiers have died in operational accidents in Gaza since the start of the war.

Lt. Gerlitz’s death follows a deadly incident last month in the same region, where Captain Amir Saad from Yanuch-Jat, and Sergeant Yinon Nouriel-Anna from Kiryat Tivon were killed. Their armored personnel carrier (Nimr) caught fire after terrorists attached an explosive device. In the same ambush, attackers attempted to target another vehicle carrying the new commander of the Golani Patrol, but quick response by the battalion headquarters repelled the attackers and prevented further casualties.

 Terror Tunnel Infiltration Thwarted in Khan Yunis

Earlier this week, the IDF foiled a major infiltration attempt by 15 terrorists in Khan Yunis. The assailants entered IDF-controlled territory via a tunnel near Shapir—an area previously targeted by IDF operations two months ago. Soldiers awoke to find themselves in direct combat inside the building where they were stationed.

Three IDF fighters were wounded in the clash—one seriously, two lightly. The engagement unfolded in three locations over 5–10 minutes before the terrorists attempted to flee. Approximately 10 terrorists were eliminated during the pursuit, most of them by drone strikes coordinated by battalion and company commanders on the ground.

Ongoing Operations in Gaza Strip

In Khan Yunis, IDF forces are now primarily focused on expanding the Magen Oz axis and demolishing surrounding buildings. No major offensives are currently underway in other parts of the city following the conclusion of Operation Gideon's Chariots, which aimed to take control of the area.

Simultaneously, Israeli forces have begun a new phase of operations in Gaza City. Combat units are advancing through the Zeitoun neighborhood and have now reached the outskirts of the Sabra neighborhood, following the IDF General Staff's approval of a comprehensive plan to retake the city.