IDF Announces Death of Reserve Sgt. Maj. Bezalel Masabkar from Gaza Blast Injuries

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed Saturday night the death of Reserve Senior Sgt. Maj. Bezalel Yehoshua Masabkar (32), who succumbed to wounds sustained during combat in southern Gaza.

Masabkar, a combat engineer from the 749th Engineering Battalion of the 828th Bisalach Brigade, was critically injured last Saturday when a military Hummer struck an explosive device in Khan Yunis. Another reserve officer from the 710th Engineering Battalion ("Ram" Formation, 179th Brigade) was also seriously injured in the same incident.

A resident of Or Yehuda, Masabkar worked for the Israel Electric Company and leaves behind his wife Maayan and their young daughter.

Golan Community Pays Tribute

Originally from the settlement of Avnei Eitan in the Golan Heights, Masabkar was remembered fondly by the Golan Regional Council, which issued the following statement:

“In this difficult hour, the Golan community embraces his wife Maayan and his family—his parents Yaakov and Hana, his brothers and sisters, and all his loved ones. The council and the entire Golan salute the IDF fighters who continue to sacrifice their lives in this war. We remain hopeful and prayerful for better news for the entire people of Israel.”

 896 Soldiers Killed Since October 7

Since the outbreak of war following the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led massacre, 896 IDF soldiers have fallen in combat. This figure does not include civilian contractors killed during military operations in Gaza.

July alone has seen 16 IDF fatalities, highlighting the ongoing intensity of fighting in the region.

Recent Fatalities in Gaza

Among the most recent incidents:

• On Monday, Maj. (Res.) Vladimir Loza (36) from Ashkelon, a soldier in Battalion 7020, was killed in Rafah after an IED explosion targeted a unit from Brigade 5. Two other reserve soldiers were injured in the same incident. Loza is survived by his wife and two children.

• That same day, Sgt. Amit Cohen (19) of Battalion 13, Golani Brigade, was killed in an operational accident in Magnan. The explosion, believed to have resulted from improper handling of an explosive device, also seriously injured a combat officer from the same battalion. Cohen was a resident of Holon.

Fighting Intensifies Across Gaza Strip

According to the IDF’s latest operational update:

• Division 36 forces continue to operate in Khan Yunis

• Division 98 is active in Gaza City

• Division 162 is engaged in the northern Gaza Strip

In the past 24 hours, the Israeli Air Force carried out more than 100 airstrikes across the Strip, targeting:

• Terrorist cells

• Combat tunnels

• Weapons storage sites

• Military compounds

• Anti-tank missile launch positions

These air operations are being conducted in close coordination with ground forces.