Israeli media stated that the event took place in the northern part of Khan Yunis. During a search operation in the area, militants emerged from an underground tunnel amidst the debris and opened fire on the troops.
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Four IDF soldiers from the Oz Brigade lost their lives in combat in the
southern Gaza Strip, as announced by the IDF on Sunday morning.
The fallen soldiers were identified as Captain Ido Baruch, 21, hailing from
Tel Mond, serving as a squad commander in the commando training school with the
Egoz Unit; Sergeant Amitai Even Shoshan, 20, from Azriel, undergoing training
in the commando training school; Sergeant Reef Harush, 20, from Kibbutz Ramat
David, also undergoing training in the commando training school; and Sergeant
Ilai Zair, 20, from Keidar, likewise undergoing training in the commando
training school.
According to reports from Israeli media, the incident occurred in
northern Khan Yunis on Saturday. During a search operation involving troops and
tanks, militants emerged from an underground tunnel amidst the debris and
opened fire on the soldiers. Three soldiers were fatally wounded on the spot,
while another soldier sustained critical injuries and later succumbed to them
in the hospital.
The attackers managed to flee through the shaft. Despite the detection
of explosives nearby and recognizing the danger, the remaining IDF troops chose
not to pursue the militants further.
Avi Harush, the father of Reef Harush, expressed his grief over his
fallen son. According to Ynet, he stated, "We are shattered; yesterday at
six in the evening, the city officer knocked on my door, and I instantly knew
that my Reef had been lost. There was no doubt, as I observed that they now
inform about injuries only by phone, not by personal visit."
"We mourn the loss of an exceptional young man with a generous
spirit... Reef understood the dangers in Gaza. I remember asking him if he was
afraid, and he