Two Israeli Soldiers Killed, Three Wounded in Gaza Attacks Claimed by Hamas
Image via BBC
Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three seriously wounded in two separate attacks in southern Gaza’s Rafah region on Thursday, as Israel continues its ground offensive against Hamas, the Israeli military confirmed in a statement released Friday.
These incidents mark a deadly escalation in the conflict and bring the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since the beginning of the ground offensive in Gaza to 418, according to Israeli media.
First Attack: Rocket-Propelled Grenade Kills 20-Year-Old Soldier
In the first attack, Sergeant Yishai Urbach, 20, a combat engineer, was killed when Hamas militants fired a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) at a building where Israeli forces were stationed in Rafah.
- Two additional soldiers were injured in the attack
- One of them sustained critical injuries
- Both were airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in central Israel
Second Attack: IED Explosion Targets Israeli Tank
In the second incident, Sergeant Yam Frid, 21, from the Golani infantry brigade, was killed after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated under the tank he was operating in Rafah.
- Two other soldiers inside the tank were severely wounded
- The attack is believed to be part of a planned ambush by Hamas militants
Hamas Claims Responsibility via Telegram
The militant group Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the European Union, and others, claimed responsibility for the twin attacks.
- In a statement posted on Telegram, Hamas said its fighters ambushed an Israeli force of 12 soldiers in eastern Rafah
- The group said its operatives fired two RPGs and detonated an explosive device during the encounter
IDF: Over 60 Targets Hit in Gaza in Past 24 Hours
In retaliation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that it struck more than 60 targets in Gaza in the past 24 hours.
These targets included:
- Terror cells
- Weapon depots
- Key Hamas infrastructure
The military operations are part of Israel’s continued offensive in southern Gaza, especially focused on Rafah, where the military believes Hamas maintains a stronghold.
Humanitarian Aid Update: US Confirms Distribution in Gaza
In a related development, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed that the distribution of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza would begin soon.
At a press briefing in Jerusalem, Huckabee said:
- Private security personnel will oversee the aid process
- The IDF will secure the perimeter of distribution zones
- The goal is to ensure aid reaches civilians, not Hamas operatives
- “The objective is clear: to prevent Hamas from hijacking the aid meant for civilians,” Huckabee added.
Rising Tensions and Humanitarian Concerns
As both Israeli casualties and Palestinian suffering mount, international attention remains focused on Rafah, a densely populated city now at the center of the conflict.
Global leaders, humanitarian organizations, and defense analysts warn that civilian displacement, lack of medical care, and shortages of essential supplies could worsen if fighting intensifies in southern Gaza.
Inputs via Agency