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Israel is in mourning following the deaths of five Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers from the Kfir Brigade, killed by an explosive device in Beit Hanun, northern Gaza, on Tuesday morning. The tragedy marks one of the deadliest single incidents for Israeli ground troops in recent weeks as fighting with Hamas continues.
The fallen soldiers were identified by the IDF as St.-Sgt. Meir Shimon Amar, 20, from Jerusalem; Sgt. Moshe Nissim Frech, 20, from Jerusalem; St.-Sgt. Noam Aharon Musgadian, 20, from Jerusalem; Sgt.-Maj. Benyamin Asulin, 28, from Haifa; and St.-Sgt. Moshe Shmuel Noll, 21, from Beit Shemesh. Most of the soldiers belonged to the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda battalion, a unit integrated into the Kfir Brigade.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his condolences to the bereaved families, stating, “On this difficult morning, the entire People of Israel bows its head in mourning for the fall of our heroic fighters, who risked their lives in the battle to defeat Hamas and free all our hostages.”
He added, “We embrace the families who have lost their dearest ones, and we pray for the complete recovery of the wounded in the incident. Their sacrifice and bravery will be etched in our hearts forever.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz echoed the prime minister’s sentiments, saying, “Moshe, Noam, Meir, Benjamin, and Moshe fought heroically and courageously against the Hamas murderers to protect the citizens of Israel and bring back our hostage brothers and sisters.”
President Isaac Herzog paid tribute to the soldiers’ bravery, calling the incident “heartbreaking.” He said their sacrifice highlighted the immense burden placed on young soldiers and stressed the importance of learning necessary lessons to ensure their safety.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid described it as “a difficult and painful morning,” while MK Yair Golan of the Democrats urged an immediate hostage deal to end the prolonged war. “It has already been 641 days that 50 hostages have been held by Hamas,” Golan said. “Today, we must implement a comprehensive hostage exchange deal.”
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the loss as “unfathomable pain” and praised the soldiers for sacrificing their lives “so that we can continue to live here.”
Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz said, “Another difficult morning in which an entire nation mourns the loss of five heroes, the best of our sons, who fell to secure our future and our safety.”
As Israel continues its military campaign in Gaza, the deaths of these five soldiers have reignited national debate over the conduct of the war, the unresolved hostage crisis, and the immense human toll borne by soldiers and civilians alike.