Four IDF soldiers killed, seven wounded in Zeitun, Gaza Strip on Thursday

The IDF spokesperson permitted publication on Saturday of news that three soldiers were killed and seven soldiers wounded in an earlier incident in the Zeitun neighborhood of the Gaza Strip.

This is in addition to Staff-Sgt. (Res.) Evyatar Atuar, who was killed in the same incident and whose death the IDF announced on Friday. Atuar, 24, from Rosh Ha’ayin, served in the 6310th Reconnaissance Battalion in the 16th Brigade.

The incident occurred on Thursday during a divisional operation aimed at expanding control in the central Gaza Strip. The soldiers’ mission, according to the IDF, was to locate tunnels and eliminate terrorists.

Two of the fallen soldiers, Sgt.-Maj. (Res.) Danil Pechenyuk, 26 and Sgt.-Maj. (Res.) Nitai Metodi, 23, from Ashkelon, served in the 6310th Reconnaissance Battalion in the 16th Brigade.

Warrant Officer (Res.) Yaniv Itzhak Oren, 35, from Ein Gedi, served in the 8119th Battalion in the 16th Brigade.

IDF Spokesperson R.-Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a press conference that the “three were killed in a raid on the Zeitun area from an explosive device. Another IDF soldier fell in a confrontation with terrorists. Four reserve soldiers, heroes of Israel. May their memory be blessed. We do not forget, and must not forget, the unbearable heavy price paid by many families in Israeli society.

“Throughout the past week, IDF forces have continued to fight on all fronts,” Hagari continued, “In Gaza, Division 162 forces are operating in Rafah. Dozens of tunnels have been destroyed. The IDF is active in Khan Yunis and the outskirts of Deir el-Balah. We are making every effort to bring the hostages home as quickly as possible.”

“In the North, IDF forces continue to act decisively against Hezbollah. In recent days, we have struck 70 terrorist targets and eliminated over 20 terrorists, including senior members of the rocket array. We are systematically and methodically attacking Hezbollah’s capabilities and fighters,” Hagari emphasized during the press conference.

Concerning the incident in which soldiers were killed by an explosive device in Gaza, Hagari stated that “the explosive was not inside the building: it was outside, in the wall, and was detonated from the other side of the wall. Our forces are learning from this operational event and are applying those lessons. Unfortunately, in combat, there are casualties.”

During an assault by the brigade, he said, a reconnaissance unit entered a building where an explosive device was hidden in one of its walls. The team commander entered the building with four soldiers, while the rest of the force organized outside. The explosive device detonated, and the impact was felt outside the building. It is estimated that the terrorists used a camera to trigger the explosive.

IDF fallen soldiers tallies

According to the IDF’s tally, 699 soldiers have been killed since October 7, with 336 of them since the start of the IDF’s ground operations in the Strip on October 27.