Tragedy: 11 Soldiers have been Killed in Armored Vehicle Explosion and fightings

The IDF has released the names of two soldiers who lost their lives in the northern Gaza Strip, identified as Capt. (res.) Eitan Koplowitz, 28, from Jerusalem, and Sergeant Major (res.) Ilon Weiss, 49, from Psagot. Two additional fighters from the 129th Battalion of the 8th Armored Brigade were seriously injured during the operation.

The passing of Sergeant Major Ilon Weiss was mourned deeply by his loved ones and the community in Psagot. Described as a multifaceted individual—a father, educator, and dedicated member of his community—his loss is keenly felt. Lalon, a relative, expressed profound sadness, remembering Weiss as a hero and a cherished presence.

In a statement, the Jezreel Valley Regional Council extended condolences to the family of Capt. Eitan Koplowitz, highlighting the community's solidarity and shared grief during this difficult time.

Additional Casualties Identified:

The IDF also named five soldiers from the 401st Brigade, 601st Battalion, who tragically lost their lives in an APC explosion in Rafah. They are Sergeant Eliyahu Moshe Zimbalist, 21, from Beit Shemesh; Sergeant Itai Amar, 19, from Kochav Yair-Zur Yigal; Sergeant Stanislav Kosterev, 21, from Ashdod; Sergeant Or Blomowitz, 20, from Pardes Hana-Karkur; and Sergeant Ez Yeshaya Grover, 20, from Tal Menashe.

Investigation Underway:

Following the incident in Rafah, where Captain Wasim Mahmoud, 23, from Beit Jan lost his life, the IDF is investigating the cause of the explosion. Initial reports suggest the blast occurred as the engineering APC (Namra) traveled through the Tel neighborhood area A-Sultan, raising questions about whether it was caused by enemy action or a detonation of explosives carried by the soldiers themselves.
one IDF soldier died of his wounds. In the past 48 hours, Israel lost 11 soldiers that have been killed in the Gaza Strip.

Eight soldiers from the 601st Battalion of the Combat Engineers lost their lives early Saturday morning in Rafah's Tel Sultan neighborhood when their armored vehicle exploded. The incident occurred during operations in southern Gaza, sparking an investigation into the cause of the explosion.

The explosion occurred around 5 AM as an IDF convoy navigated through the neighborhood. The vehicle, a Namer APC carrying eight Combat Engineering Corps fighters, was severely damaged and caught fire immediately after a massive explosion. Despite efforts to extinguish the flames and approach the vehicle, all occupants were tragically killed on the spot.

investigation UnderwayInitial reports suggest the explosion may have been caused by either a belly charge or explosives attached to the vehicle. The IDF is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the incident and to assess the extent of secondary explosions.

Context and Response

The incident has drawn parallels to past conflicts, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by explosives and mines deployed by terrorists. Recent operations in Gaza and Judea-Samaria have heightened awareness of these dangers among IDF forces.

Military Response and Safety Measures

Following the incident, the damaged vehicle was moved to a secure location for further examination. IDF teams are also conducting scans of the area to gather additional evidence. Lessons learned from previous operations have emphasized the use of heavy engineering tools to mitigate risks from buried explosives.

Condolences and Mourning

The loss of the eight soldiers has deeply affected their comrades and the wider IDF community. The names of the fallen soldiers have been released, reflecting their dedication and sacrifice in service to their country.