Three Israeli soldiers were killed and two were wounded by a roadside bomb Monday during operations in the Jabalia area in the northern Gaza Strip, the military announced Tuesday morning.
The slain soldiers were named as Staff Sgt. Lior Steinberg, 20, a combat medic, from Petah Tikva; Staff Sgt. Ofek Barhana, 20, a combat medic, from Yavne; and Staff Sgt. Omer Van Gelder, 22, a squad commander, from Maale Adumim.
It was the most deadly loss for the Israel Defense Forces since it renewed combat operations in Gaza after a ceasefire collapsed in March.
The troops all served in the Givati Brigade’s Rotem Battalion. During the incident in Jabalia, they were operating as part of a platoon under the 9th Armored Battalion.
According to an initial IDF probe, the five troops were in a Humvee in Jabalia, escorting an army fire engine that had entered Gaza to extinguish an armored personnel carrier that caught fire due to a technical issue.
On the way out of Jabalia, the convoy was hit by an explosive device planted on the side of a road. It directly struck the Humvee, killing and wounding the soldiers.
The two wounded troops were listed in moderate condition.
Along the same route, the IDF later discovered some 20 more roadside bombs that had been rigged for detonation. It was unclear why the others did not explode.
Evacuation of the injured soldiers was complicated and prolonged, as the troops in the convoy realized they were in a booby-trapped area. The IDF also carried out numerous strikes in the area to enable the evacuation.
The military said it was investigating the incident further, including how terror operatives had identified the route used by the army, and when the bombs had been planted.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: “In the name of all Israeli citizens, my wife and I send condolences from the depths of our hearts to the families of our fighters.
“Our hearts go out to the families in this most terrible moment. We will forever cherish the heroism of our fighters, Lior, Ofek and Omer.”
Barhana’s former high school in Yavne remembered him as “an accomplished student, sociable, and a born leader,” the Ynet outlet reported. Just last week, he had visited the school to pick up his matriculation certificate.
His teacher, Maya Mizrahi, said that after completing school, Barhana “chose to do his bit for the country as a combat medic in Givati — a role he chose wholeheartedly out of a sense of responsibility, courage, and a desire to help others.
“Ofek left behind many aching hearts — students, friends, teachers, and family — who will not forget his spirit, smile, and love of life,” she said.
Van Gelder was related to Sgt. First Class (res.) Omer Moshe Gaeldor, 30, who was killed in November in Lebanon, Ynet said.
Steinberg’s mother, Orly, posted to Facebook, “Love of my heart, I can’t believe you aren’t with us. Love you, I’ll love you forever,” the outlet reported.
The deaths brought Israel’s toll in the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and in military operations along the border with the Strip to 423. The toll includes two police officers and three Defense Ministry civilian contractors.