IDF Probes Drone Explosion Killing Two Reservists as Accidental

An ongoing investigation into the explosion of an "Atalef" drone, which resulted in the deaths of two reserve soldiers, strengthens the assessment within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that the incident was an operational accident and not the result of Hamas involvement. The drone reportedly struck an object and fell onto an awning within a military post. The soldiers, experienced operators, turned off the drone's remote control, a safety measure designed to prevent the munition from detonating. However, when they attempted to move the drone out of the post, it exploded.

According to new details emerging from the inquiry, the drone likely hit a high object, possibly an electrical cable or pole, shortly after takeoff, causing it to fall. The operators, realizing the drone had crashed, initiated the safety protocol by shutting down the remote. This action should have rendered the munition inert, making the subsequent explosion a central question in the IDF's investigation.

The drone landed on an awning inside the post, leaving it with an undetonated explosive charge in close proximity to the soldiers. To mitigate the risk to other personnel, the two reservists decided to move the drone outside the post themselves, without calling for a bomb disposal unit.

During the process of moving the drone, it detonated, killing both soldiers. The IDF is examining the sequence of events and the precise reason why the explosive charge detonated despite the remote control being deactivated. Senior IDF officials stated that Hamas does not possess the capability to control or disrupt this type of drone.

This incident adds to a growing number of operational accidents during the fighting in Gaza. Since the war began, 82 soldiers have been killed in operational accidents out of a total of 474 fallen soldiers in the Strip, representing approximately 17% of casualties.