close
close
hsuses

IDF reports eight soldiers killed in Rafah

Theo

Captain Wassem Mahmoud, 23, of Beit Jann, and seven other IDF soldiers were killed in an explosion in Rafah, the IDF announced on Saturday.

Mahmoud was deputy company commander in the 601st Battalion of the Combat Engineers Brigade.

Mahmoud’s uncle, Sharif Ghanem, said his nephew returned to fight in the Gaza Strip after being injured early in the war, YNet reported.

“A great tragedy has struck us. Waseem was injured at the beginning of the war when a shrapnel pierced his arm. He was due to undergo surgery, but he postponed it until the end of the war. Waseem was a determined and brave fighter; everyone loved him,” he said.

Sharif said: “Waseem was supposed to start his studies in March, but he postponed it because he was mainly focused on the army and his unit and to ensure the security of the country. His mother is completely devastated, he was the beating heart of her life. Everyone is mourning today for the son and nephew we have lost.”

The explosion of the armored vehicle occurred in the Tal as-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah.

Rafael-manufactured Namer armored personnel carrier with Trophy missile defense system (Source: MINISTER OF DEFENSE/MERKAVA TANK ADMINISTRATION)

IDF investigates explosion

The Israel Defense Forces are investigating whether the armored vehicle was damaged by an explosive device underneath the vehicle or by an explosive device attached to the side of the vehicle.

Another possibility being considered is that a malfunction of the explosives in the vehicle caused the explosion.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the incident occurred around 5 a.m. IDF soldiers from the 401st Brigade had just completed an attack in Tal as-Sultan.

The soldiers of the attacking brigades included the 932nd Battalion and the 424th Battalion. These battalions were joined by a company of the 601st Combat Engineer Battalion.

While driving through a luxurious area of ​​the district, a huge explosion was heard, causing the armored vehicle to explode and catch fire.

The vehicle was badly damaged. All occupants of the vehicle, eight engineer soldiers, were killed instantly. Large quantities of explosives were found on the outside of the vehicle, including blasting stones, mines and more.

The Israeli military said the explosive devices were located on the outside of the vehicle so that in the event of an explosion, the soldiers in the vehicle’s fighting compartment would not be injured.

The head of the local authority of Beit Jann, lawyer Nazih Dabbour, announced that following the news of Mahmoud’s death, all planned celebrations for the Muslim and Druze festival of Eid al-Adha must be cancelled. Eid al-Adha takes place on Sunday.

“Following the painful and heartbreaking events that have shaken the village and the death of the young soldier Waseem Mahmoud, we announce the suspension and cancellation of all planned celebrations,” Dabbour said.

“May the memory of the deceased be blessed and may his family receive comfort from heaven,” he added.

This is an evolving story.



Related Posts