Two Israeli reserve soldiers were killed after an explosive-carrying drone they were operating crashed and detonated at an Israeli military post in northern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
The incident occurred on Thursday, September 24, near the Gaza border. The deaths were formally confirmed by the Israeli military on Friday.
The soldiers were identified as Master Sgt. (Res.) Nadav Kali, 24, and Master Sgt. (Res.) Ofek Moalem, 23. Both served with the 7007th Battalion of the Jerusalem Brigade.
According to an initial military investigation, the two soldiers were operating small first-person-view (FPV) drones known in Hebrew as “Atalef,” meaning “bat.” The drones are capable of carrying explosives.
The first drone reportedly completed its mission successfully. The second, however, crashed inside the military post shortly after takeoff for reasons that remain unclear.
Several minutes later, the two soldiers approached the crashed drone and attempted to pick it up by hand. The device then exploded, critically injuring both men.
They were evacuated to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, where doctors later pronounced them dead.
The IDF has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash and subsequent explosion. Pending the outcome of the inquiry, the military has temporarily suspended the use of small drones capable of carrying explosives, including attack drones and drones designed to drop explosives on targets.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has ordered the formation of a special expert panel to investigate the incident. The panel, led by a brigadier general from the infantry corps, is expected to recommend measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
The incident comes amid continued Israeli military operations in Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. According to figures cited by the source report, Israeli forces currently maintain direct control over large areas of the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Health Ministry says more than 73,400 people have been killed in the conflict. The figures are issued by Gaza’s health authorities and do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their headline totals.
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