By Yanki Farber
An initial investigation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has shed light on the tragic incident in Beit Hanoun, in which five soldiers from the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda Battalion were killed last night. According to the findings, the unit entered an area rigged with explosives—three of which detonated in succession—before coming under fire from Hamas gunmen.
Most of the soldiers were wounded or killed by the first two explosive devices, although a third device was triggered afterward. The first bomb struck the lead unit. As fellow soldiers rushed in to rescue and treat the wounded, a second device exploded, causing further casualties. The explosives were deliberately triggered in stages to maximize the number of soldiers harmed.
Immediately after the second explosion, a Hamas assault unit opened heavy, automatic machine-gun fire from among the ruins of Beit Hanoun, where they had been observing the Israeli unit’s movements. The IDF described the area as “uncleared,” making it extremely difficult to identify enemy positions amid the rubble and chaos.
Senior commanders quickly arrived at the scene, issued direct orders, and led efforts to contain the incident and evacuate the wounded under fire. The entire event lasted roughly an hour and a half. The IDF emphasized that forces operated with special attention to preventing any attempted abduction of soldiers—something Hamas has repeatedly tried to carry out.
Israel’s Army Radio (Galei Tzahal) reported that the broader IDF operation in Beit Hanoun, carried out by the 99th Division, began four days ago. Its objective is to root out and defeat the remaining Hamas militants in the area. The IDF estimates that dozens of terrorists are still operating in Beit Hanoun, most of them hiding underground in tunnel systems, occasionally surfacing to attack.
Military sources believe the explosive devices were planted within the last 24 hours and were remotely detonated by Hamas operatives lying in ambush. The 99th Division, which is leading the campaign in the area, intends to fully dismantle the Hamas battalion operating in Beit Hanoun, with the goal of completely eliminating the threat and avoiding the need for future reentry.
A senior officer in Israel’s Southern Command stated: “Our mission is to eliminate the threat and to systematically dismantle this area so that we won’t have to return to it again.”
According to the IDF, the area where the deadly incident occurred had been heavily targeted in the days prior, with dozens of airstrikes and artillery strikes. The fatal attack occurred just an hour after Netzah Yehuda forces entered the zone. One of the infantry companies, moving in on foot and supported by an armored unit, stepped directly onto the hidden explosives, which were described as being very well concealed.
