Three soldiers were killed in battle in the northern Gaza Strip, the IDF cleared for publication Monday evening.
Staff Sergeant Ido Zano, aged 20, from Yehud-Monosson, a combat medic in the 'Shaked' Battalion (424th), Givati Brigade, Staff Sergeant Barak Daniel Halpern, aged 19, from Kiryat Ono, a squad commander in the 'Shaked' Battalion (424th), Givati Brigade, fell during combat in the northern Gaza Strip, and Sergeant Omri Cohen, aged 19, from Ashdod, a soldier in the 'Shaked' Battalion (424th), Givati Brigade, fell during combat in the northern Gaza Strip.
During the incident in which Staff Sergeant Ido Zano, Staff Sergeant Barak Daniel Halpern, and Sergeant Omri Cohen fell, one soldier from the 5353 Unit, Artillery Corps, and a reservist soldier from 424th Battalion, 84th Brigade, were severely injured.
The soldiers were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment. Their families have been notified.
Kiryat Ono Mayor Michal Rosenshein paid tribute to city resident Sergeant Barak Daniel Halpern, saying that he was "salt of the earth, charismatic and beloved, a guide in the 'Gilead' scouts and an outstanding basketball player on the youth team."
She offered condolences to the family: "Galit, Nir, Ofir and Saar, my dear neighbors, my heart goes out to you for the loss of your dearest. On behalf of all the residents of Kiryat Ono, I send my deepest condolences. May his memory be a blessing."
The IDF announced earlier Monday that four soldiers from the 9263rd Battalion, 226th Brigade, fell in battle in southern Lebanon:
An IDF preliminary investigation found that troops from the 226th Brigade went to search for Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure in the Labbouneh Reserve near the border in the west. Upon entering a tunnel that contained weapons and additional shafts, there was an explosion and the structure collapsed.