IDF announces 4 soldiers killed, 6 wounded during fighting in northern Gaza
Troops fall in military’s renewed offensive in Beit Hanoun; initial IDF probe indicates gunmen set off explosive device and fired at soldiers
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Four soldiers were killed and six were wounded during fighting in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces announced, bringing Israel’s toll in the ground offensive against Hamas to 402.
The slain troops were named Sgt. Maj. (res.) Alexander Fedorenko, 37, from Bat Yam; Staff Sgt. Danila Diakov, 21, from Maale Adumim; Sgt. Yahav Maayan, 19, from Modiin; and Sgt. Eliav Astuker, 19, from Ashdod.
Among the six wounded troops, two were listed in serious condition.
According to an initial IDF probe, the soldiers in northern Gaza’s Beit Hanoun were hit by an explosive device set off by gunmen, who also opened fire at them.
The IDF has recently intensified its offensive against Hamas in the far north of the Gaza Strip, an operation that has been ongoing since last October. The offensive is now focusing on the Beit Hanoun area after raids in Jabalia and Beit Lahiya.
The ongoing operation has led to the deaths of 48 soldiers.
On Wednesday three soldiers were killed in northern Gaza. According to an initial IDF probe, the troops were hit by a large explosive device that was detonated against a tank during operations in Beit Hanoun. That incident came after three other troops were killed and several more wounded in separate incidents on the previous two days.
Israel’s toll in the ground offensive against Hamas in Gaza and in military operations along the border with the Strip now stands at 402.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu eulogized the soldiers on X, writing: “They fell protecting the homeland in battles in the northern Gaza Strip, in a war for our existence and security. Their heroism and bravery will be etched in our hearts forever.”
יחד עם כל אזרחי ישראל, אני כואב את נפילתם של ארבעת לוחמי צה”ל – סמ”ר דנילה דיאקוב, רס”ם (במיל’) אלכסנדר פדורנקו, סמל יהב מעיין וסמל אליאב אסטיוקאר ז”ל.
הם נפלו על הגנת המולדת בקרבות בצפון רצועת עזה, במלחמה על קיומנו וביטחוננו. גבורתם ואומץ לבם יחרטו בליבנו לעד.
ליבנו עם… pic.twitter.com/3wu2EiK4Xc
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) January 11, 2025
Hamas terrorists killed in school
In Jabalia on Saturday, the IDF said it carried out a drone strike against a group of Hamas operatives using the Halawa School to plan and carry out attacks against troops in Gaza and against Israel.
Palestinian media said the complex was serving as a shelter for displaced Gazans, and the strike killed at least eight people, including two children, and wounded over 30 others.
The IDF said it took numerous steps to mitigate civilian harm in the strike, using a precision munition, aerial surveillance, and other intelligence.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says more than 46,000 people in the Strip have been killed or are presumed dead in the fighting so far, though the toll cannot be verified and does not differentiate between civilians and fighters. Israel says it has killed some 18,000 combatants in battle as of November and another 1,000 terrorists inside Israel on October 7.
Israel has said it seeks to minimize civilian fatalities and stresses that Hamas uses Gaza’s civilians as human shields, fighting from civilian areas including homes, hospitals, schools and mosques.
Israel and Hamas have been at war for nearly 15 months since the Palestinian terror group invaded southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and abducting 251 as hostages to Gaza.
Recent days have seen negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal ramp up, and on Saturday Netanyahu said he was sending top negotiators to Qatar to try to reach a breakthrough.
