Three IDF soldiers killed in Gaza IED explosion

The IDF announced Monday evening that three soldiers from the Kfir Brigade’s 92nd Battalion (Samson) were killed overnight in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza.

The incident occurred in the town’s western area, where the IDF had expanded operations earlier in the day as part of a battalion-level assault on a street occupied by armed terrorists.

The soldiers—Capt. Ilay Gavriel Atedgi, 22, from Kiryat Motzkin; Staff Sgt. Netanel Pessach, 21, from Elazar; and Sgt. First Class (res.) Hillel Diener, 21, from Talmon—died on the spot when the explosive detonated in between several buildings.

Capt. Atedgi served as the deputy company commander, while Pessach and Diener were combat soldiers in the battalion.

The IDF is investigating whether the explosives were remotely detonated. Another soldier sustained moderate injuries in the attack. Despite the losses, the Samson Battalion continued its mission, killing additional terrorists in subsequent clashes.