Two IDF soldiers killed in Rafah after Hamas violates Gaza ceasefire

Maj. Yaniv Kula and St.-Sgt. Itay Yavetz fell in the southern Gaza Strip, and a third soldier was injured in the same incident.

The IDF announced on Sunday that Major Yaniv Kula and Staff-Sergeant Itay Yavetz were killed in battle while fighting in theGaza Strip.

Major Kula, 26, from Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut, served as company commander in the 932nd Battalion, Nahal Brigade.

Staff Sergeant Yavetz, 21, also from Modi’in-Maccabim-Reut, served in the Erez program in the 932nd Battalion, Nahal Brigade.

Both soldiers fell in Rafah, in southern Gaza.

Hamas broke ceasefire with Israel

This comes afterHamas broke the ceasefire agreement with Israel by firing anti-tank missiles and gunfire toward Israeli soldiers.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since ordered a “forceful response” on the terror group, including the closure of all crossings into Gaza and the halt of humanitarian aid into the Strip.

A third soldier was seriously wounded in the same incident and was taken to a hospital for immediate treatment.

Netanyahu sent his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers. “On behalf of the entire people of Israel, my wife and I send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the Nahal Brigade soldiers – Maj. Yaniv Kula and Staff-Sgt. Itay Ya’avetz, of blessed memory – who fell in the difficult incident in Rafah,” he said.

“I also send wishes for a speedy recovery to our wounded in that incident. Yaniv and Itay fought valiantly against the Hamas murderers to protect the security of Israel.

Their courage and heroism will be cherished in our hearts forever. May their memory be for a blessing.”

According to the IDF’s tally, the deaths of Major Kula and Staff Sergeant Yavetz raise the total of soldiers killed on or since October 7, 2023, to 918.

Some 470 of this number were killed since the start of the military’s ground operations in the Strip on October 27, 2023.