IDF Soldier Asaf Zamir (19) Killed, Three Wounded in Khan Younis
Golani Brigade’s combat team was targeted in early-morning clash; IDF confirms 13th fallen soldier from 188th Brigade since war began
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Another deadly incident in Gaza: One IDF soldier was killed and others wounded in an attack during a military operation in Khan Younis early Friday morning.
The event unfolded during a pre-dawn offensive by the Golani Brigade’s combat team in Khan Younis. A preliminary IDF investigation into the attack on their tank in the Gaza Strip has shifted from an initial assessment of an RPG strike to evidence suggesting a terrorist emerged from a tunnel shaft, placed an explosive device near the tank’s rear corridor, and fled.
The attack killed Sergeant Asaf Zamir, the tank’s loader, and left two crew members seriously injured and one moderately injured.
Zamir (19) from Dimona, served in the 53rd Battalion of the 188th “Barak” Armored Brigade.
An evacuation team, including the company commander, arrived at the scene but came under fire. The company commander sustained light injuries from shrapnel and was subsequently taken to the hospital. The IDF is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the company commander’s injuries.
There are unverified reports that during the rescue operations for the casualties from the tank, an explosion occurred in the rescue tank. This explosion was likely caused by an anti-tank missile or another explosive device that was activated at the scene.
The IDF believes a terrorist cell was behind the attack. In recent hours, several terrorists in the area were eliminated, two of whom have been identified and are likely connected to the strike, closing the operational loop.
The Golani team recently completed a mission near the European Hospital, where they retrieved the body of Mohammad Sinwar, and have since moved into new sectors.
The 188th Armored Brigade has now lost 13 soldiers since the start of the war.
Earlier today, the IDF publicised that Sergeant Yair Eliyahu, 19, from Ezer, a combat engineer in the Northern Brigade, fell this morning in northern Gaza, in an operational accident. An initial investigation revealed that two engineering vehicles, a backhoe and a D-9, collided with each other during operational activity, resulting in Eliyahu's death.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated: [Today is] a difficult day with the news of the deaths of Sergeant Yair Eliyahu, a combat engineer in the Northern Brigade, and Sergeant Asaf Zamir, an armored corps soldier in Battalion 53, who fell in the Gaza Strip.
The State of Israel has lost two of its finest sons, young and brave fighters who acted with courage to bring back the hostages and defeat the Hamas murderers. I extend my deepest condolences to their families for this heavy loss.
I wish a full recovery to all the wounded and salute the brave fighters who, even at this hour, continue to fight to defend the State of Israel. May their memory be blessed."