Six Israeli soldiers were killed on Thursday in two separate attacks: a powerful roadside bomb in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah and a deadly shooting carried out by a Jordanian truck driver at the Allenby Crossing.
Four IDF soldiers killed in Rafah
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that four soldiers were killed and three others wounded when a Humvee was struck by an explosive device in Rafah’s Jenina neighbourhood on Thursday morning. The blast occurred around 9:30am as a D9 armoured bulldozer was clearing a route with two Humvees following behind.
The slain soldiers were identified as:
-
Maj. Omri Chai Ben Moshe, 26, from Tzafria, a company commander.
-
Lt. Eran Shelem, 23, from Ramat Yohanan.
-
Lt. Eitan Avner Ben Itzhak, 22, from Har Bracha.
-
Lt. Ron Arieli, 20, from Hadera.
According to the IDF probe, the Humvee veered to the roadside before being hit by the explosive. The military is still investigating the type of bomb, how it was triggered, and when it was planted.
Images shared on social media showed the heavily damaged Humvee following the attack.
IDF response and ongoing Rafah operations
IDF Spokesman Brig Gen Effie Defrin confirmed that forces remain active in Rafah’s Jenina neighbourhood, working to destroy underground infrastructure that alleged Hamas operatives continue to use.
Although Rafah has been largely cleared, the IDF estimates several dozen Hamas operatives remain in the area.
The deaths were the first Israeli combat fatalities in Gaza since four soldiers were killed 10 days ago in an attack near Gaza City. With Thursday’s losses, Israel’s toll since the start of the ground offensive and border operations has risen to 469 dead, including two police officers and three civilian contractors from the Defense Ministry.
Jordanian truck driver kills 2 soldiers
Hours later, tragedy struck again when a Jordanian humanitarian aid truck driver launched a deadly attack at the Allenby Crossing, on the Jordan-Israel border.
The IDF said two soldiers were killed:
-
Lt.-Col. (res.) Yitzhak Harosh, 68, from Jerusalem, an officer in the 309th Reserve Unit of the Civil Administration.
-
Sgt. Oran Hershko, 20, from Tel Mond, who served as a liaison officer in the Tevel Brigade.
The attacker opened fire immediately after entering the Israeli side of the crossing, before reaching the inspection area. He exited his truck, fired at soldiers and officials present, and then attempted to stab people at the scene.
A security guard shot and killed the assailant shortly after the attack began. Defense sources said at least one suspected accomplice may have been involved, and Israeli forces.
