IDF Halts Drone Use After Fatal Gaza Incident, Launches Investigation

Following a fatal incident in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military's Chief of Staff, Aviv Kochavi, has ordered the establishment of an expert team to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion of an IDF drone that killed two reservist soldiers. The team, to be headed by a Brigadier General from the Ground Forces, will examine the event to prevent future occurrences. The two fallen soldiers were identified as Staff Sergeant (Res.) Nadav Kali and Staff Sergeant (Res.) Ofek Moalem, who were killed when a drone exploded in their hands at a base in northern Gaza.

As a precautionary measure, the commander of the Ground Forces has also ordered a temporary halt to the use of attack drones for 48 hours. A reassessment will take place after this period. The drone involved in the incident, identified as an 'Atalef' type, has been in operational use by the IDF across various fronts since the beginning of the war.

The incident occurred yesterday afternoon at a base in northern Gaza operated by the 77th Battalion of the 16th Brigade. During operations, two drones were deployed: one, an 'Atalef' drone, exploded at its target, while a second drone either returned or fell under unclear circumstances onto a structure within the base. When Kali and Moalem approached the second drone to inspect it, it exploded, causing critical injuries. They were evacuated to a hospital where they were pronounced dead.