Four IDF soldiers were killed, and three were wounded, when their transport vehicle ran over an improvised explosive device in Rafah. The Jerusalem Post reports that Major Omri Chai Ben Moshe, 26, from Tzafriya; Lieutenant Ron Arieli, 20, from Hadera; Lieutenant Eitan Avner Ben Itzhak, 22, from Har Brakha; and Lieutenant Eran Shelem, 23, from Ramat Yohanan were members of the “Dekel” Battalion.
Maj. Moshe was a commander of a company in the “Dekel” Battalion, Officers’ Training School, and served as a company commander in the Paratroopers Brigade.
Lt. Arieli, Lt. Itzhak, and Lt. Shelem served as cadets in the “Dekel” Battalion, Officers’ Training School. Arieli served in the Golani Brigade, Itzhak served in the Commando Brigade, and Shelem served in Sayeret Matkal.
Although the area had been previously checked using various techniques, Hamas has sometimes proven adept at placing IEDs during the gap period after an earlier unit checks the area and before a less protected unit then comes through.
The identities of the three wounded soldiers were not given, but they did receive immediate care for the injuries they sustained. The Jerusalem Post also reports that the Gaza offensive to disarm and defeat Hamas is in full swing, with three different IDF divisions moving through different sections of the city.
The Fellowship and its faithful supporters pray for the loved ones of the brave fallen soldiers who undertook the most daunting task of navigating areas that have been trapped with IEDs from Hamas, intended to both kill IDF soldiers and stop anyone from leaving Gaza. Let us also pray for peace, shalom, to finally come to the Holy Land after the war that has gone on for nearly two years.