Two Reserve Soldiers Killed in Gaza Drone Incident
Two reserve soldiers, Staff Sergeant Nadav Kali, 24, from Har Halutz, and Staff Sergeant Ofek Moalem, 23, from Jerusalem, were killed in an operational accident in the Gaza Strip, the IDF announced Friday. The incident occurred at the Yisraela outpost near Beit Hanoun.
The soldiers were operating a "Bat" type drone, which exploded at its destination. A second drone they were flying crashed under circumstances still under investigation. Kali and Moalem approached the crashed drone, and it exploded in their hands. They were evacuated by helicopter to Barzilai Medical Center, where their deaths were pronounced shortly after.
The "Bat" drone has been used by the IDF in operational activities across all conflict zones since the beginning of the war. Following the incident, the IDF immediately halted the use of all explosive drone types for 48 hours across all fronts.
Additionally, the Chief of Staff has ordered the establishment of an expert team to investigate the circumstances of the incident, to be headed by Brigadier General Omer Cohen, the head of the Infantry and Paratroopers Corps.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.