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Three Israeli soldiers were killed and two others wounded on Monday after their military vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb during operations in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced early Tuesday morning.
The fallen soldiers were named as Staff Sgt. Lior Steinberg, 20, a combat medic from Petah Tikva; Staff Sgt. Ofek Barhana, 20, a combat medic from Yavne; and Staff Sgt. Omer Van Gelder, 22, a squad commander from Maale Adumim.
All three served in the Givati Brigade’s Rotem Battalion and were operating under the 9th Armored Battalion during the fatal mission.
According to the IDF’s preliminary investigation, the soldiers were escorting an army fire engine that had entered the Jabalia area to extinguish an armored personnel carrier that caught fire due to a technical malfunction. The troops were traveling in a Humvee as part of the protective convoy.
On their return journey, an improvised explosive device (IED) planted along the roadside detonated near the convoy, directly striking the Humvee carrying the soldiers. The blast killed Steinberg, Barhana, and Van Gelder instantly and left two others moderately wounded.
The incident marks the deadliest day for Israeli forces since combat operations in Gaza resumed following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire in March.
In the aftermath, Israeli forces discovered approximately 20 additional roadside bombs along the same route, indicating a high level of premeditation. The military is investigating why those devices failed to detonate and how the route used by the convoy had been compromised.
The evacuation of the wounded soldiers proved difficult due to fears of additional hidden explosives. The IDF said it conducted several airstrikes in the area to clear a path for safe extraction.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement expressing national mourning: “In the name of all Israeli citizens, my wife and I send condolences from the depths of our hearts to the families of our fighters. We will forever cherish the heroism of our fighters, Lior, Ofek and Omer.”
Barhana, remembered fondly by former teachers and classmates, had recently collected his matriculation certificate and was described as a “born leader” who chose to serve as a combat medic out of a deep sense of duty. “He left behind many aching hearts,” said Maya Mizrahi, his teacher.
Van Gelder had a personal connection to another fallen soldier, being related to Sgt. First Class (res.) Omer Moshe Gaeldor, who died in Lebanon in November.
Steinberg’s mother, Orly, posted a heartfelt message on social media, mourning her son’s death: “Love of my heart, I can’t believe you aren’t with us. Love you, I’ll love you forever.”
The latest deaths bring the total number of Israeli military personnel killed in the ongoing ground offensive and border operations in Gaza to 423, a figure that also includes two police officers and three civilian contractors from the Defense Ministry.
As fighting continues in Gaza, the IDF vows to investigate the circumstances of the attack and ensure the safety of its forces operating in the volatile northern sector.