IDF names 4 soldiers killed in northern Gaza combat; 6 others wounded in renewed offensive

On Saturday night, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced four soldiers were killed during fighting in northern Gaza. 

The fallen soldiers were listed as: Sgt. Maj. (res.) Alexander Fedorenko, 37, from Bat Yam; Staff Sgt. Danila Diakov, 21, from Maale Adumim; Sgt. Yahav Maayan, 19, from Modiin; and Sgt. Eliav Astuker, 19, from Ashdod. 

According to an initial investigation, reported on Army Radio, the convoy in which the soldiers were traveling in Beit Hanoun was ambushed, with Hamas terrorists detonating an improvised explosive device, followed by gunfire from the terrorists. 

At least six other soldiers were wounded in the incident, with two listed in serious condition. 

The IDF recently intensified its operations against Hamas in the neighborhoods of Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip. After previously targeting the neighborhoods of Jabaliya and Beit Lahiya, the military is focusing its efforts on Beit Hanoun. 

Hamas managed to rebuild some of its forces in the area around Gaza City, after the IDF withdrew from the area to focus on Khan Younis and Rafah in the southern Strip. 

The fighting in northern suburbs of Gaza City has led to the deaths of 48 IDF soldiers since the military renewed its focus on the area in October. 

Last Wednesday, 3 tank operators were also killed in an IED attack in the area of Beit Hanoun, with the IDF admitting that Hamas has been increasingly using IEDs as a significant part of its strategy of combat in the neighborhood. 

Following the announcement of the soldiers’ deaths, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted to 𝕏, praising the heroism and courage of the soldiers. 

“Along with all citizens of Israel, I grieve the loss of the four IDF soldiers – Sergeant Major Danila Dyakov, Major (res.) Alexander Fedorenko, Sergeant Yahav Maayan, and Sergeant Eliav Estiokar,” Netanyahu wrote. 

“They fell defending the homeland in battles in the northern Gaza Strip, in the war for our existence and security. Their heroism and courage will be etched in our hearts forever. Our hearts go out to their grieving families in these difficult times. We will not forget the heavy price they bear for all of us. May their memory be blessed.” 

Defense Minister Israel Katz also posted a message to 𝕏 eulogizing the fallen soldiers. 

“A very difficult evening for the State of Israel after we learned of the fall of four of our best sons,” Katz wrote. 

Additionally, on Saturday, the Israeli Air Force carried out an airstrike on a Hamas terror cell operating what the IDF called a “command-and-control center” in the Khalwa school in Jabaliya, based on IDF and Shin Bet intelligence. 

While Palestinian media claimed the strike targeted a building used to shelter civilians, killing eight people, including two children, the IDF said “numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of aerial surveillance, additional intelligence, and precise munitions” prior to the strike.