One IDF Soldier Killed, Five Injured As Palestinians Ambush Israeli Patrol in Gaza

One Israeli soldier was killed and two others injured when Palestinian resistance fired a missile at an Israeli armored vehicle in Gaza on Saturday and ambushed a rescue team with an explosive device.

Military helicopters evacuated the casualties to Beilinson and Tel Hashomer hospitals in Tel Aviv.

Israeli media identified the dead as Warrant Officer G'haleb Sliman Alnasasra, aged 35 who is the first IDF casualty since fighting resumed in the Gaza Strip in March.

The Israeli forces that were hit by the explosive device were on their way to rescue soldiers who had been targeted by anti-tank fire. The soldiers were part of an intelligence-gathering force that was neutralizing a tunnel, Israeli media said quoting the IDF.

The rescue mission was with the company commander of the Northern Brigade in the Gaza Division, and the explosive directly impacted his vehicle.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X that he "wishes a full recovery to all our fighters who were wounded during the operation," adding that "the IDF will exact a heavy price and will increase pressure in Gaza with full force until all the objectives of the war are achieved."

A total of 848 Israeli soldiers have been killed since October 7, 2023.