Four ‘Israeli’ soldiers missing, possibly captured after reported ambush
- 'Israeli' media say four soldiers are missing after Qassam Brigades ambush in Gaza.
- Reports confirm deaths, injuries, and heavy fighting in Zeitoun and Sabra.
'Israeli' media reported that four soldiers are missing and others were killed or wounded in Gaza after a large ambush carried out by the Qassam Brigades in the Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
According to the reports, the ambush left several soldiers dead and critically injured, prompting the 'Israeli' army to deploy six helicopters for evacuation and fire flares over central Gaza. Sources said forces from the 162nd Division and the 401st Armored Brigade came under heavy pressure as more Palestinian fighters joined the clashes.
Read more: 'Israeli' casualties reported in difficult incident in Gaza: Hebrew media
The army also activated the Hannibal Protocol, a measure that authorizes overwhelming force to prevent soldiers from being captured, even at the risk of killing them. Hebrew media described the incident as one of the most serious since October 7, 2023.
Reports said the first ambush targeted a Nahal Brigade unit in Zeitoun neighborhood, killing one soldier and injuring others, followed by a second ambush in the Sabra neighborhood. 'Israeli' helicopters later bombed the sites.
Abu Obaida, spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, warned that 'Israel’s' plans to occupy Gaza City would come at a high cost, adding that capturing soldiers remains a key objective.
Read more: ‘Death or capture’: Qassam’s message after reported ambush on 'Israeli' troops in Gaza
The Brigades also posted a message saying: “We remind those who forget, death or capture.”
Preliminary figures cited by 'Israeli' outlets put the toll at one soldier killed and 11 injured, while the military imposed a gag order on reports regarding the four missing soldiers. Search operations are ongoing in the Zeitoun area.
