Israeli army confirms death of senior commander in northern Gaza | Israeli Army World News

The Israeli military said Sunday that a brigade commander was killed in an explosion in northern Gaza, where Israeli forces are carrying out an all-out offensive targeting Hamas.

Colonel Ahsan Daksa, commander of the 401st Brigade, was killed when he was hit by an explosive device while leaving a tank in the Jabalia area, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said at a briefing.

Defense Minister Yoav Galant said in a separate statement that Mr. Daksa was killed “during combat with Hamas terrorists.”

Hagari said another battalion commander and two officers sustained minor injuries in the incident.

They “went outside to observe their surroundings and were hit by explosives,” he said.

Daksa, 41, is a member of the Druze community and was appointed brigade commander four months ago. He was one of the most senior military commanders killed in the year-long Gaza war.

Hagari said his brigade was “leading the attack” in Jabalia.

Israeli forces launched heavy ground and air attacks on Jabalia and other areas in northern Gaza on October 6, which the military says is aimed at preventing Hamas militants from regrouping.

The Hamas-run territory’s civil defense agency said more than 400 people had been killed in two weeks of attacks. The attacks continued on Sunday.

Daksa was awarded the medal for rescuing injured soldiers during Israel’s 2006 war against Hezbollah. The two countries are currently at war again in Lebanon.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Daksa a “hero” and said his death was “a loss to Israel and Israeli society.”

His death brings the death toll of Israeli forces in the Gaza operation to 358 since the ground offensive began in the Palestinian territories on October 27, 2023.