Four IDF soldiers were killed and three were wounded in Rafah when their Hummer transport vehicle ran over an improvised explosive around 9:15 a.m. on Thursday morning.
The soldiers were named as 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.
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.
Despite the setback, the IDF said the Gaza City invasion is moving forward at full throttle.
IDF Division 98 is moving through the Shaati and coastal areas of the city.
Next, IDF Division 162 is maneuvering in the Sheikh Radwan and northwest areas of the city.
Finally, IDF Division 36 has joined the fray and is moving on an east-to-west vector.
Gaza City evacuation underway, yet more than half of population remains
Up to 420,000 Palestinian civilians have now evacuated, up from 250,000 a few days ago, and 70,000 last week.
Yet, around 600,000 still remain and are slowing aspects of the offensive.