Israeli Army’s Initial Investigation into Gaza Compound Ambush
The Israeli army has published initial investigation results regarding a combined attack by Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza’s Beit Hanoun area, which occurred during an operation to clear the region involving two battalions, according to webangah News Agency.
The report states that soldiers from the 97th Netzah Yehuda Battalion were moving on foot when remotely detonated bombs exploded along their path. The ambush involved two sequential explosive devices targeting the troops.
The Israeli military added that Palestinian fighters opened fire during evacuation efforts for the wounded, injuring several support personnel and complicating casualty extraction operations.
An army statement noted that additional teams were deployed to evacuate casualties after rescue forces came under attack. The military confirmed five soldiers killed and fourteen wounded in the combined operation, with two critically injured.
Military observers suggest the actual casualty figures may be substantially higher, describing this as perhaps the largest ambush against Israeli forces in Gaza. Preliminary investigations indicate Hamas employed similar multi-stage tactics in past operations - detonating explosives followed by gunfire.
Israeli media reports reveal four bombs detonated at timed intervals during the ambush. Opposition figures including knesset member Meirav Ben Ari noted this occurred in territory repeatedly occupied by Israeli forces throughout the conflict.
Hebrew sources located last night’s ambush near two previous attack sites in Beit Hanoun, approximately 500 meters from Gaza’s eastern border.
