Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza after explosive device hits their vehicle

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the deaths of 3 soldiers operating successful Gaza. 

Staff Sgt. Lior Steinberg, Staff Sgt. Ofek Barhana and Staff Sgt. Omer Van Gelder were members of Israel’s Givati Brigade, an infantry unit, erstwhile they were killed. Steinberg and Barhana were serving arsenic combat medics, portion Van Gelder was a squad commander, according to the IDF.

The IDF confirms the deaths of, from near to right, Staff Sgt. Omer Van Gelder, Staff Sgt. Lior Steinberg and Staff Sgt. Ofek Barhana successful Gaza. (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a message expressing his condolences. In Hebrew, Netanyahu wrote that helium and his woman Sara sent their "heartfelt condolences to the families of our heroic fighters."

IDF planetary spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani besides expressed his condolences successful a station connected X, successful which helium listed the soldiers’ names and ages. All 3 men were successful their aboriginal 20s.

The 3 men were reportedly among 5 soldiers successful a Humvee successful Jabalia, successful the bluish Gaza Strip, wherever their conveyance was deed by an explosive device, according to the Times of Israel, which cited an IDF probe. The different 2 soldiers successful the conveyance were reportedly injured and person been listed successful mean condition.

Palestinians marque their mode with belongings arsenic they fly their homes aft Israeli aerial strikes, successful the bluish Gaza Strip May 16, 2025. (REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa)

IDF SAYS IT TARGETED GAZAN SCHOOL-TURNED-SHELTER TO HIT HAMAS, ISLAMIC JIHAD COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTER

According to the outlet, the Humvee was escorting an IDF occurrence motor that was successful Gaza to extinguish an armored unit bearer that had caught fire. The Times of Israel reported that the origin of the occurrence remains unknown. The convoy was deed by respective explosive devices portion connected its mode out of Jabalia, according to the Times of Israel.

Israeli soldiers occurrence a mortar towards Gaza from their presumption adjacent the border, arsenic seen from Israel, June 2, 2025. (REUTERS/Amir Cohen)

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The warfare successful Gaza has raged for much than 600 days since Hamas carried retired its massacre connected Oct. 7, 2023. There are inactive 58 hostages being held successful Gaza — 23 of whom are believed to beryllium alive, portion 35 are confirmed dormant and their bodies stay in Hamas’ hands. So far, 148 surviving hostages and 48 bodies of hostages person returned to Israel. Most recently, connected May 12, Edan Alexander, the past surviving American held by Hamas, was returned to Israel.