Israeli army says two soldiers killed in Gaza drone explosion

Israel's army said Friday that two reserve soldiers were killed in Gaza after an explosive drone detonated at a military post, according to a military source who spoke to AFP. The incident is under review. The deaths bring the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since the war began to 970.

How many Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza?

The deaths of Nadav Kali, 24, and Ofek Moalem, 23, raise the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza to 970 since the war began in October 2023. Seven of those soldiers have died since a ceasefire took hold last year, the Israeli army said.

What happened to the soldiers in Gaza?

An Israeli military drone crashed at an army post in the Gaza Strip but did not explode on impact, the military source said. The soldiers approached the drone, which detonated moments later. The army has not disclosed why the drone failed to explode on landing, and it said the incident remains under review.

Who were the soldiers killed in Gaza?

The army identified the soldiers as Nadav Kali, 24, and Ofek Moalem, 23. Both served in the 7007th Battalion of the 16th Brigade. Their deaths were confirmed Friday alongside details of the drone explosion.

How many people have died in the Gaza war overall?

The war in Gaza has killed nearly 74,000 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, which operates under Hamas authority. The United Nations considers the ministry's casualty figures reliable. Israel launched the offensive after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, which killed more than 1,200 people in Israel.