Two Israeli reserve soldiers were killed Thursday after an IDF drone exploded at an army post in the northern Gaza Strip, the military said. The soldiers were identified as Staff Sgt. Ofek Mualem, 23, of Jerusalem, and Staff Sgt. Nadav Kelli, 24, of Har Halutz in northern Israel, both members of Reserve Brigade 16.
According to the IDF, the two soldiers were operating the drone during an operational activity when the aircraft crashed at the military position. When the soldiers attempted to pick it up, the drone exploded. Both were killed at the scene.
The IDF immediately opened an investigation into the incident and ordered a temporary suspension of drone flights pending an examination of the circumstances.
Military Expert Team to Examine the Incident
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir instructed the establishment of a professional investigation team, headed by a brigadier general from the Ground Forces.
The team will examine the sequence of events, the circumstances surrounding the drone's crash and explosion, and the procedures governing the handling of unmanned aerial systems. According to the IDF, the objective is to identify the causes of the accident and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The decision to halt drone operations underscores the seriousness with which the military is treating the incident.
Ofek Mualem: Engineering Student
Mualem, a Jerusalem resident, was a graduate of the Hebrew Gymnasium and was studying mechanical engineering at Azrieli College of Engineering.
He was buried at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl Military Cemetery.
A childhood friend, Roy Almuznino, told Kan 11 that Mualem was "always the first to volunteer" and excelled both academically and in military service.
According to his friend, Mualem had also assumed a command position during his reserve service and was responsible for the operation of numerous drones.
Nadav Kelli Remembered as Musician and Fighter
Kelli, a resident of Har Halutz in the Upper Galilee, was the youngest of three children. He is survived by his parents, Yoav and Yael, and his brothers Roy and Itamar. He had returned to live in Har Halutz during the past year with his partner, Rotem, with whom he had been in a relationship for seven years.
Kelli was buried at the Misgav Cemetery.
Friends described him as both a dedicated soldier and a musician. He played the piano and worked as a music producer.
Childhood friend Yoav Sivan Ben-Yosef described him as "a true fighter at heart" who remained committed to his principles and goals.
Another childhood friend, Amit Dagan, recalled lengthy conversations with Kelli that could range from everyday matters to science and astronomy.
Musician and producer partner Saul Klein described Kelli as a "true friend."
Fatal Incident Highlights Risks of Military Operations
The incident adds to the continuing toll among Israeli forces operating in and around Gaza.
According to the information provided by the IDF, seven Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire that began on October 10 last year.
The previous reported death of an Israeli soldier in Gaza occurred in February, when Sgt. Ofri Yaffe, a 21-year-old Paratroopers reconnaissance fighter, was mistakenly shot by Israeli forces after being identified as a suspected militant during a search of buildings.
The latest incident differs from that case in that the initial information points to an accident involving an Israeli unmanned aerial system rather than enemy fire.
The military investigation is expected to determine how the drone came to explode after crashing and whether operational procedures, technical failure or other factors contributed to the deaths.
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