IDF probe into death of commander finds he was outside tank when hit by explosive device

An IDF probe into the death of Col. Ehsan Daqsa, the commander of the 401st Armored Brigade in the northern Gaza Strip, has found that the senior officer was outside his tank with other officers when they were hit by an explosive device.

According to the updated probe, Daqsa, the commander of the brigade’s 52nd Battalion, and two other officers got out of their tanks in Jabaliya and walked several meters to an observation point.

The site had been booby-trapped with explosives, which killed Daqsa on the spot, seriously wounded the 52nd Battalion commander, and injured the other two officers who are listed in light and moderate condition.

The IDF has appointed Col. Meir Biderman, the deputy head of the 162nd Division, to be the acting commander of the 401st Brigade.

Col. Benny Aharon, another former commander of the 401st Brigade, will take Biderman’s place.

Lt. Col. Daniel Ella, the former commander of the 52nd Battalion who was moderately wounded during fighting in Gaza in July, will return as the battalion’s acting commander.