IDF announces deaths of two reserve officers killed in Gaza over weekend

Operations in central Gaza and Khan Younis continue; IDF orders new evacuations ahead of strikes

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Israel Defense Forces on Saturday evening announced the death of two reserve officers who were killed in Gaza over the weekend.

Warrant Officer Mordechai Yosef Ben Shoam, a truck driver in the IDF 8119th Battalion was killed in an ambush attack in the central Gaza Strip on Saturday. Maj. Yotam Itzhak Peled was killed in the same battle while safeguarding the supply convoy heading to the Zeitoun neighborhood. The ambush involved an Improved Explosive Device (IED) and terrorists concealed in a nearby building.

The convoy was traveling along the Netzarim Corridor when a roadside IED, planted by Hamas terrorists, exploded, killing the two reserve officers and wounding other soldiers.

According to Army Radio, the convoy in which Ben Shoam and Peled were traveling was hit by the IED blast. Three terrorists emerged from a nearby building and attempted to engage the forces before fleeing.

Hamas later took credit for the attack.

Following the deaths of Peled and Ben Shoam, the total number of soldiers killed in ground operations in Gaza and along the border communities has reached 334.

On Saturday, IDF Arabic Spokesman Avichai Adraee published an updated list of evacuation zones which included the Salah el-Din, Al-Forouk, and Al-Amal neighborhoods.

“Against the backdrop of the continuous firing of rockets by Hamas and terrorist organizations from your area, the IDF will act against these terrorist elements forcefully and immediately,” Adraee posted to 𝕏. “For your own safety, move immediately to the humanitarian zone.”

#عاجل ‼️ الي كل المتواجدين في بلوكات 2232, 2340, 2343, 2245, 2244 ,2243, 2242, 2241, 2240 في منطقة المغازي وحارات صلاح الدين، الفاروق والأمل

⭕️على خلفية اطلاق قذائف صاروخية بشكل متواصل من قبل حماس والمنظمات الإرهابية من منطقتكم، سيعمل جيش الدفاع ضد تلك العناصر الإرهابية بقوة… pic.twitter.com/M2YXukWupr
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) August 17, 2024

The IDF's 98th Division continued operations in Khan Younis and the outskirts of Deir al-Balah. Over the weekend, the forces eliminated terrorists and located weapons, including grenades, ‘Kalashnikov-type weapons, and explosives.

On Friday, Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets struck targets in the area from which the launches were detected and struck loaded launchers ready for launch in Khan Younis.

Palestinian sources also reported an intensification of IAF airstrikes in Khan Younis on Saturday and Sunday.

There has been an intense escalation of IDF bombardment and airstrikes in Gaza over the past 72 hours, as described to me firsthand by my brother in Western Khan Younis, where he’s been after fleeing Deir al-Balah. He sent me images and videos of heart-stopping bombardment near… pic.twitter.com/RraeRBvHNG
— Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (@afalkhatib) August 18, 2024

The 162nd Division continue operations above and below ground in Rafah. Nahal Brigade troops eliminated armed terrorists in firefights, destroyed terror infrastructure, and discovered weapons, including a machine gun, ‘Kalashnikov-type weapons, grenades, and military equipment.