BEIT HANUN, GAZA — Five Israeli soldiers were killed and 14 others wounded on Monday after Hamas operatives ambushed a patrol in Beit Hanun, northern Gaza, by strategically placing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) between waves of Israeli air and artillery fire, the IDF confirmed Tuesday.
The fallen soldiers were identified as:
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St.-Sgt. Meir Shimon Amar, 20, of Jerusalem
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Sgt. Moshe Nissim Frech, 20, of Jerusalem
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St.-Sgt. Noam Aharon Musgadian, 20, of Jerusalem
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Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Benyamin Asulin, 28, of Haifa
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St.-Sgt. Moshe Shmuel Noll, 21, of Beit Shemesh
According to military officials, in the days leading up to the deadly attack, Israeli forces had carried out heavy artillery shelling and airstrikes across the area in an effort to clear a safe route for the Netzah Yehuda Battalion's ground movement. However, Hamas managed to exploit a window of opportunity between two barrages, successfully planting the IEDs just hours before IDF troops entered the area.
Despite repeated sweeps by armored bulldozers and explosive-clearing vehicles, the bombs evaded detection because they were placed shortly before the soldiers’ arrival. The IDF explained that although most of Beit Hanun had been cleared multiple times, Hamas took advantage of a narrow timing gap and terrain limitations.
The area where the soldiers were ambushed was roughly 1.5 kilometers from the border and obstructed by partially standing structures. These buildings, which prevented vehicle access, forced troops to proceed on foot — a vulnerability Hamas exploited. When questioned about surveillance failures, the IDF cited the obstructed line of sight from standing ruins as the reason border lookouts did not detect enemy movement.
Structures Still Used for Hamas Tactics
While the IDF estimates that over 80% of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed since the war began, Hamas continues to utilize the remaining partially damaged structures as elevated observation posts to study IDF patrol routines. In this particular case, the soldiers’ mission was to encircle and neutralize a group of terrorists hiding in underground tunnels within Beit Hanun.
Though the IDF has significantly reduced Hamas presence in the area — from an estimated 1,000 fighters at the start of the war to only dozens today — military officials caution that the remaining militants are likely among the group’s most experienced and elusive.
These fighters rely on advanced guerrilla tactics, deep tunnel networks, and limited physical presence to evade detection and move between strongholds.
Ambush Sequence and Casualties
The fatal incident was caused primarily by the first two of three IEDs detonated during the operation. The initial explosion struck the lead group of soldiers. A second IED, triggered remotely when others rushed in to assist the wounded, inflicted further casualties. A third device was also set off, but was less deadly.
The IED detonations were accompanied by intense Hamas gunfire, which, while disorienting, played a secondary role in the casualties compared to the explosives.
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