4 soldiers killed in IED explosion in Jabaliya as IDF continues to fight Hamas in northern Gaza

The IDF on Tuesday evening published new details about the deaths of four soldiers who were killed in the northern Gaza Strip earlier that day.

Captain Yonathan (Yoni) Keren, Staff Sergeant Nisim Meital, Staff Sergeant Aviv Gilboa, and Staff Sergeant Naor Haimov all served in Unit 888, the IDF’s Multidimensional Unit, also called the Ghost Unit. 

The four soldiers were killed by an IED which detonated on one of the upper floors of a building in Jabaliya. Another officer from the unit was seriously injured in the incident along with two other soldiers. 

The incident occurred around 3 a.m. A smaller force from the unit entered the building to search it and rule out the presence of terrorists or weapons in the area. The unit reportedly planned to use the building for ongoing operations in the neighborhood. As the unit was searching the building, an IED exploded killing the four immediately and injuring several other soldiers. 

The results of the IDF’s investigation into the incident were shared with the families before being released to the press. 

The Multidimensional Unit was established in 2019, during the tenure of IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi. It includes a variety of capabilities designed to expose an enemy in the most effective manner, thereby destroying it as quickly as possible, including the use of drones, robots, and other technical means.

The soldiers often test new equipment and techniques before they are implemented in other IDF units. Soldiers selected for Unit 888 undergo rigorous testing before their acceptance, including special operator training, as well as testing for creativity and problem solving. 

Although the IDF previously operated in Jabaliya, the current operation to destroy Hamas forces in the area is its most intense activity in the neighborhood since the beginning of the war. 

The previous commander of Unit 888, Colonel Roi Levi, died on October 7 fighting terrorists in the battle at Kibbutz Reim. He was 44 years old at the time of his death and left a wife and five children.

The Multidimensional Unit has been operating for a week in Jabaliya as part of the operations of the 401st Armored Brigade’s combat team. 

Along with the 401st Brigade, and 460th Armored Brigade, the Givati Brigade Combat Team has also been operating in Jabaliya in recent weeks. 

Recently, soldiers from those brigades participated in the area of the Kamal Adwan Hospital area, eliminating terrorists, locating and destroying weapons, tunnel shafts, and rocket launchers. 

The forces have also detained many terrorists, transferring them to security forces for interrogation. 

Following reports of high civilian casualties after an IDF strike in Beit Lahiya on Tuesday, the IDF said it is investigating the incident. However, the military also cautioned that Hamas has previously misreported civilian death tolls, counting its fighters as civilians. 

Palestinian sources claimed over 90 people killed in the strike, with at least 20 being children. 

The IDF asked media outlets “to be careful with information published by Hamas, as has been proven in several previous events.” 

The military also reminded the media that Beit Lahiya is an active combat zone, and that residents had been warned to evacuate earlier this month.