Two Israeli reservists killed in Gaza army drone explosion

Two Israeli reservists were killed when an army drone crashed at a military post in northern Gaza and subsequently exploded, the Israeli military said on 25 September. The deaths have prompted an expert investigation and a temporary grounding of small armed drones. [4] [5] [7]

The military named the soldiers as Nadav Kali, 24, from Har Halutz, and Ofek Moalem, 23, from Jerusalem. Both served in the 7007th Battalion of the 16th Brigade. The official casualty register records their deaths as occurring on 24 September, the day before the announcement. [1] [2]

A military official told AFP that the drone did not explode on impact, but detonated after the soldiers approached it. The Times of Israel, citing an initial military investigation, reported that they approached several minutes after the crash and picked up the drone before it exploded. Both were taken to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, where their deaths were declared. [4] [6]

Investigation and drone restrictions

Army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir ordered an expert panel to investigate, according to a military statement reported by The Times of Israel. A brigadier general from the Ground Forces will lead the team, tasked with examining the circumstances and preventing similar incidents. [7]

Ground Forces chief Major General Nadav Lotan ordered the affected drones grounded for at least 48 hours, followed by a reassessment, the newspaper reported. It described the restriction as covering small drones capable of carrying explosive payloads, including one-way attack drones and those that drop explosives on targets. [6]