The fallen soldiers have been identified as Sergeant Yishai Elyakim Urbach, 20, from Zichron Ya'akov, a member of the IDF's 605th Combat Engineering Battalion, and Staff Sergeant Yam Frid, 21, from Sal'it, a soldier with the elite Golani Reconnaissance Battalion.
Urbach was reportedly killed during a search operation for a Hamas tunnel inside a building, where he fell to a rocket-propelled grenade attack, according to multiple military sources. Hours later, Frid lost his life when the armored vehicle he was traveling in struck an explosive device, the IDF confirmed. Both incidents occurred on the afternoon of May 8, 2025.
In addition to the two fatalities, at least three soldiers from Urbach’s unit were injured, including one critically, while two others from Frid’s battalion also sustained wounds in the blast that claimed his life. The injured soldiers were swiftly evacuated for medical treatment, with their current conditions still being assessed.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, expressed profound grief over the tragic loss, describing the fallen as "two of the nation's finest." He extended his heartfelt condolences to their families and offered prayers for the swift recovery of the wounded.
The ongoing operations in Gaza reflect the heightened volatility in the region, as the IDF continues to target Hamas positions while facing increasing resistance from militant factions. Military officials have reiterated their commitment to dismantling the extensive tunnel networks that have been used to launch attacks against Israeli forces.
Further updates are expected as the situation unfolds.
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