Two Israeli reservists were killed in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday when a military drone they were operating crashed inside an IDF outpost and exploded, according to the IDF.
uncertain
they → kill → IDF
The IDF identified the slain soldiers as Sgt. Maj. (res.) Nadav Kali, 24, from Har Halutz in the Galilee, and Sgt. Maj. (res.) Ofek Moalem, 23, from Jerusalem.
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IDF → identify → Jerusalem
The soldiers were evacuated to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, where they were pronounced dead.
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they → evacuate → Ashkelon
According to an initial investigation cited by Israeli media, the reservists were operating explosive drones against a terrorist in the northern Gaza Strip.
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reservists → accord → Strip
The first drone successfully completed its mission, but during a second operation, another drone unexpectedly returned toward the Israeli force and crashed inside its outpost.
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drone → complete → outpost
Kali and Moalem approached the crashed drone to investigate, at which point it exploded, 99th Division commander Brig. Gen. Elad Tzuri said, according to military sources.
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Tzuri → approach → sources
Tzuri described the two reservists as “excellent soldiers.”
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Tzuri → describe → soldiers
The 16th Brigade has been operating in the area of the northern Gaza Strip since Sept. 10.
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Brigade → operate → Sept.
The military is investigating why the drone returned toward the Israeli troops and how its explosive payload detonated after it crashed.
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it → investigate → troops
One possibility being examined is whether Hamas used electronic warfare capabilities to interfere with the drone.
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Hamas → examine → drone
However, the IDF currently assesses that Hamas does not possess the operational capabilities in the electromagnetic spectrum required to cause such an incident.
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Hamas → assess → incident
Investigators are also examining the possibility of a technical malfunction.
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Investigators → examine → malfunction
The military has not publicly specified whether the aircraft involved was a suicide drone designed to detonate on impact or a drone designed to drop munitions.
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aircraft → specify → munitions
Pending the investigation, the IDF grounded attack drones and drones used to place munitions across its combat sectors.
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IDF → pende → sectors
The incident occurred as the 16th Brigade continues operations in the northern Gaza Strip.
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Brigade → occur → Strip
“Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I grieve over the deaths of Master Sgt. (res.) Nadav Kali and Master Sgt. (res.) Ofek Moalem in yesterday’s tragic incident in Gaza,” Netanyahu said.
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Netanyahu → grieve → Gaza
“Nadav and Ofek were courageous reserve soldiers who defended Israel’s security.
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who → defend → security
We embrace their families in this difficult hour and send them our heartfelt condolences,” he added.
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he → embrace → condolences
Netanyahu noted that the IDF is investigating the incident.
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IDF → note → incident
“All the necessary lessons must be learned and implemented to ensure the safety and security of IDF soldiers,” the premier said.
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premier → learn → soldiers
On Friday afternoon, Moalem was buried at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl Military Cemetery and Kali was laid to rest at the Misgav Cemetery in the Lower Galilee.
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Kali → bury → Galilee
Kali is survived by his parents, two older brothers and his partner, Rotem.
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Kali → survive → parents
He lived across the street from his former classmate, Staff Sgt. Itay Saadon, who was killed in the Gaza Strip in November 2023.
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who → live → November
The Misgav Regional Council said it “bows its head and shares in the grief of the Kali family.”
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it → say → family
Moalem is survived by his parents, a twin brother and a younger sister.
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Moalem → survive → parents
He had recently completed his first year studying mechanical engineering at Azrieli College of Engineering in Jerusalem.
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He → complete → Jerusalem
Roy Almoznino, Moalem’s close friend since childhood, said that he had volunteered for extensive reserve duty since completing his mandatory service, including at times when he had not received a call-up order.
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he → say → order
“Last week, our whole group got together, and he told us how happy he was in the reserves,” Almoznino told Ynet.
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Almoznino → get → Ynet
“He really loved his friends and reserve duty.”
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He → love → friends
Moalem took on a command role during his second period of reserve duty, Almoznino said.
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Almoznino → take → duty
“He told me he couldn’t sit on the sidelines,” he added.
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he → tell → sidelines
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