Two Israeli Soldiers Killed in Helicopter Crash Over Gaza Strip

Two Israeli soldiers were killed overnight in a helicopter crash over the Gaza Strip, while on a mission to evacuate an injured soldier to a hospital, Bloomberg reports.

The incident marks the first aerial crash for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the Palestinian territory since the start of the war against Hamas nearly a year ago.

The Israeli army identified the aircraft as a “Yanshuf,” the Hebrew name for a Black Hawk helicopter, which crashed while landing in the Rafah area in southern Gaza. Both soldiers killed were reservists of the Israeli Air Force’s elite Special Tactics Rescue Unit 669. Seven other soldiers, including two pilots and two other reservists of the same unit, were injured in the crash.

An initial IDF investigation has indicated that the crash was not caused by an “enemy attack,” but an investigation is ongoing. The Black Hawk, which entered service 20 years ago, is used by the IAF for transport, rescue, evacuation, and tactical missions.

The crash occurred in Rafah, an area close to the Egyptian border where Israel deployed ground forces in May, despite international pressure.

In a separate statement, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari announced that Israel has defeated the last Hamas battalion in Rafah, effectively completing its mission to destroy the militant group’s last operating brigade.