Four IDF soldiers were killed early Monday when Hamas operatives attacked an army encampment on the outskirts of Gaza City.
The fallen soldiers — Lt. Matan Abramovitz, 21; Staff Sgt. Uri Lamed, 20; Sgt. Amit Arye Regev, 19; and Sgt. Gadi Cotal, 20 — all served in the 401st Armored Brigade. Another soldier was moderately wounded.
According to an IDF probe, three Hamas gunmen opened fire on a tank commander before throwing an explosive device inside the vehicle, killing the crew. Other troops returned fire, striking at least two attackers.
The assault comes as Israel intensifies its bombardment of Gaza ahead of a ground offensive. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Gaza residents to evacuate, declaring Israel’s determination to destroy Hamas and free its hostages.
