On the same morning when terrorists open fired at Jerusalem’s Ramot Junction, a Hamas attack on an IDF outpost in Gaza killed four soldiers in the tank they were operating. Ynet reports that the attack is one of the deadliest single incidents for the Israeli armored corps in the last few weeks. Three of the four fallen soldiers have been identified.
According to the army, four Hamas fighters launched the assault at around 6 a.m. near an outpost between Jabaliya and the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood on the northern edge of Gaza City. The terrorists hurled an explosive device into a tank positioned at the entrance, setting it ablaze and killing the entire crew inside. They also opened fire on the tank commander.
The outpost was manned jointly by infantry from the Nahal Brigade’s 50th Battalion and tanks from the 401st Brigade, which has been operating on Gaza City’s outskirts in recent weeks. Soldiers inside the position were on dawn alert, having returned less than an hour earlier from a night raid. They returned fire, killing at least one attacker, while others apparently escaped. The army said one Nahal infantryman was moderately wounded.
Staff Sgt. Uri Lamed, 20, Sgt. Gadi Ctoal, 20, and Sgt. Arye Regev, 19, all served in the 52nd Battalion of the regular 401st Armored Brigade. Investigations indicated that there were no attempts to abduct soldiers and that the Hamas terrorists may have infiltrated the outpost through an underground tunnel.
Today has been a dark day for Israel and her people, with terror attacks targeting both soldiers and civilians. Hamas’ attacks grow more desperate and sporadic as Israel’s Gaza campaign continues. The Fellowship and our faithful supporters urge everyone to pray for shalom, peace, to ultimately prevail, and for the complete safety of Israel and her people – soldiers and civilians alike.