IDF Halts Use of Explosive Drones After Two Reservists Killed in Gaza Blast

The Israeli military has suspended the use of explosive drones, including the "Atlef" model, following an incident in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, where two reservist soldiers were killed. The soldiers, identified as Sergeant Major Nadav Kali, 24, from Har Halutz, and Sergeant Major Ofek Melem, 23, from Jerusalem, were part of Battalion 7007 of the 16th Brigade. They sustained fatal injuries when a booby-trapped drone exploded as they attempted to retrieve it within a military site on Thursday afternoon.

According to an initial military investigation, the soldiers had launched two explosive drones to target an observed militant. While the first drone successfully hit its target, the second drone returned to the site for reasons still under examination and fell onto a canopy. The soldiers were attempting to collect the malfunctioning drone by hand when it detonated unexpectedly, causing their severe injuries. They were evacuated to a hospital where they were later pronounced dead.

In response to the fatalities, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir ordered the formation of an expert team to investigate the circumstances of the explosion. The team, to be led by a brigadier general from the Ground Forces, will focus on examining the sequence of events that led to the blast.

The investigation is also considering the possibility of enemy jamming of the drone's frequencies. However, the military stated that initial assessments do not suggest Hamas possesses advanced electronic warfare capabilities sufficient to explain the incident. The use of all explosive drone types has been halted pending a technical review.