The Israel Defense Forces announced late Sunday that two soldiers were killed during clashes in southern Gaza.
Major Yaniv Kula, 26, of Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut, who served as a company commander in the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade, was killed in action in the southern Gaza Strip.
Also falling in the same encounter was Staff Sergeant Itay Yavetz, 21, from the same city. He served as a combat soldier in the Erez Leadership Program, also within the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade.
During the same confrontation in which Major Kula and Staff Sergeant Yavetz lost their lives, a reservist from the Combat Engineering Heavy Equipment Unit (TZAMA) of the Gaza Brigade sustained critical injuries.
The wounded soldier was transported to a hospital for emergency medical care. The IDF stated that his family has been informed of his condition.
According to preliminary findings, the incident began when terrorists emerged from a tunnel shaft in Rafah at approximately 10:30 a.m. and launched an anti-tank missile at an IDF engineering vehicle.
Moments later, terrorist snipers opened fire at a second engineering vehicle. Within minutes, additional sniper fire targeted IDF personnel operating nearby.
In response to the attack, Israeli forces launched strikes against the area, aiming to neutralize the threat and destroy the tunnel shafts and other terrorist infrastructure. The IDF emphasized that, “These terrorist actions constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the IDF will respond firmly.”
