Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, marking the first deadly attack since the Trump administration-brokered ceasefire went into effect last week.
The slain soldiers were identified as Maj. Yaniv Kula, 26, and Staff Sgt. Itay Yavetz, 21, both members of the Nahal Brigade and residents of Modi’in.
A reserve soldier from a combat engineering unit was severely wounded in the incident in Rafah, in an area under Israeli control according to agreed-upon ceasefire lines. He was evacuated to hospital for treatement.
The multi-pronged attack began at approximately 10:30 a.m., when Hamas terrorists emerged from a tunnel, fired an anti-tank missile at an IDF engineering vehicle and opened sniper fire on Israeli forces in the area.
In response, the IDF carried out airstrikes and artillery fire in Rafah to “remove threats,” destroying several tunnels and buildings where terror operatives were spotted.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday night offered condolences following the deaths of the two soldiers.
“On behalf of the entire people of Israel, my wife and I send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the Nahal Brigade soldiers—Maj. Yaniv Kula and Staff Sgt. Itay Yavetz, of blessed memory—who fell in the difficult incident in Rafah,” said Netanyahu in a statement.
“Yaniv and Itay fought valiantly against the Hamas murderers to protect the security of Israel,” he continued. “Their courage and heroism will be cherished in our hearts forever.
The death toll among Israeli troops since the start of the Gaza ground incursion on Oct. 27, 2023, now stands at 470, and at 918 on all fronts since the Hamas-led massacre on Oct. 7, 2023.
