An officer from the Combat Engineering Corps was severely wounded, and an NCO was lightly wounded on Thursday as a result of an explosive device detonation during counterterrorism activity in Jenin.
The wounded troops were evacuated to receive medical treatment at a hospital. Their families have been notified.
A preliminary investigation into the incident found that the troops were conducting a patrol in preparation for the establishment of a permanent IDF forward position inside the Jenin "Refugee" Camp.
During the patrol, the soldiers identified a suspicious object, and seconds later, the explosion occurred. It has not yet been determined what activated the device, and the forces who remained at the scene are investigating the matter.
One of the claims being investigated is that a soldier touched the device, leading to its detonation.
Concurrently with the investigation, IDF forces are operating to rule out additional explosive devices in the area of the explosion.
The officer who was severely wounded was previously severely wounded in battle in the Gaza Strip in January 2024, when an anti-tank missile struck the D9 bulldozer that he was commanding.
Following the previous injury, the officer underwent a rehabilitation process, after which he fought to return to combat service. Upon completing his rehabilitation, he returned to a combat field position as an engineering officer.
Earlier this month, during a special operation directed by the ISA, soldiers apprehended two terrorists who had recently been involved in advancing terrorist activity against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians from the areas of Jenin and Al-Yamun.
Following an intelligence effort, it was revealed that one of the terrorists apprehended by the soldiers was an operative in the Jenin terrorist network that was dismantled during Operation Iron Wall and was involved in raising funds to support terrorist activity.
The terrorists were transferred to the security forces for further processing.