Two Israeli soldiers Killed, three injured in Rafah attack

Two Israeli soldiers were killed and three others injured in an attack in the southern Gaza city of Rafah on Sunday morning, according to the Israeli military.

The slain soldiers were identified as Major Yaniv Kula and Staff Sergeant Itay Yavitz, both serving with the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade.

The incident occurred near Salah al-Din Road, southeast of Rafah, in an area east of the “Yellow Line,” which remains under Israeli control as part of the ceasefire arrangement with Hamas.

Preliminary military investigations suggest that the attackers emerged from a tunnel and fired an RPG rocket at an excavator, killing two soldiers instantly.

Shortly after, a sniper targeted another excavator, injuring two soldiers — one of them critically.

A short while later, another soldier was also wounded by sniper fire.

Israeli officials confirmed that there was no attempt to abduct soldiers during the incident.

According to the Israeli military, the troops were conducting operations to dismantle Hamas tunnels in the area amid intelligence reports suggesting that armed fighters might still be hiding underground.

Following the attack, Israeli air and ground forces launched retaliatory strikes in the vicinity, with reports of intense aerial bombardment across several parts of southern Gaza.

Hamas Denies Involvement
Meanwhile, the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, denied any involvement in the Rafah clashes.

In a statement, the group said it remains committed to the ceasefire agreement and is unaware of any confrontations in the area.

“We have no knowledge of any clashes or incidents in Rafah, as these areas are under the control of the occupation forces,” the statement read.
“Our communication with the remaining fighters in Rafah has been severed since March, when the war resumed.”