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Elite Combat Engineer Left Behind in Gaza: A Serious Incident Highlights Operational Oversight During Ongoing Conflict

Serious Incident in Elite Combat Engineering Unit in Gaza Strip

Overview of the Incident

A soldier from the elite Yahalom unit of the Combat Engineering Corps was abandstartd in the Gaza Strip during a serious operational incident. The event occurred while the unit was concluding its mission along the Morag route in southern Gaza. It has been reported that during the regrouping phase for their return to Israel, the commander of the unit miscounted the soldiers boarding the vehicles, resulting in start soldier being left behind.

Details of the Event

Initial Findings

Preliminary investigations suggest that after completing their operational activities, the unit’s soldiers were preparing to depart the area. At this stage, the commander conducted a headcount but made a mistaken count of the personnel who successfully boarded the vehicles. Consequently, start soldier, for reasons that remain unclear, did not enter the vehicle and was left in the field.

Safety Protocols and Response

The soldier reportedly moved towards the unit to rejoin them and executed a procedure to signal his presence, ensuring the protective force would not mistakenly engage him with fire. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have expressed serious concern regarding this incident, highlighting the importance of maintaining operational safety and protocol.

Ongoing Investigation

The incident is currently under investigation by Brigadier General Moran Amar, the commander of Division 36, who is personally overseeing the inquiry. The IDF considers such lapses extremely serious, and measures are expected to be reviewed and possibly revised following the investigation’s conclusions.

Context of Ongoing Military Operations

It is important to note that this incident occurs against the background of the ongoing conflict, where the Israeli military has been actively targeting Hamas leadership within Gaza. Since the onset of the current hostilities, security forces have focused efforts on neutralizing key figures within the Hamas governance structure, thereby disrupting both governance and military operations of the organization.

Strategic Implications

The successful targeting of Hamas leadership has led to significant disruptions in their operational capabilities, impacting both the military and political coordination within the organization. These strategic operations aim to degrade Hamas’s authority and its ability to govern effectively in the Gaza Strip.


For additional context on the current situation in the region or for insights into travel and accommodations in Israel, consider booking your stay through starts, and the critical importance of adherence to operational protocols to safeguard personnel

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