The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the deaths of two reserve officers during operations in southern Gaza on Tuesday, as the military ramped up its counter-terrorism efforts in the region. Their loss comes as IDF forces report increased engagement with enemy combatants in the central Gaza Strip, resulting in several eliminations of terrorists during close-quarter combat.
The KIAs were Major (res.) Eyal Avnion, 25, from Hod HaSharon, and Master Sergeant (res.) Nadav Elchanan Knoller, 30, from Jerusalem, were serving with the Hermesh Company in 121st Battalion of the 8th Reserve Brigade 8, operating under the 99th Division. Both officers fell during combat operations in southern Gaza.
Avnion, a former company commander in the Nahal Brigade, had recently joined the division forces. At the time of his death, he was serving as a deputy company commander. Fellow soldier Aviad Hominer Rosenblum remembered him fondly: "Eyal joined our infantry unit when the war began. He was a dedicated officer from an elite unit, both intelligent and skilled. During our long hours together, he shared stories of his ocean voyage on a fishing boat and his aspirations for the future. He left for a company commanders' course mid-war, took command of a company, and tragically fell in Gaza last night, along with all his plans and dreams."
Knoller, who served as a platoon sergeant, was raised in Karnei Shomron and attended the Eli pre-military academy. He is the ninth casualty from Karnei Shomron since the conflict began. The community council expressed their grief: "Karnei Shomron mourns the loss of Master Sergeant (res.) Nadav Elchanan Knoller. We bow our heads and share in the profound sorrow of the family. May his memory be a blessing."
Over the past 24 hours, Division 99 has stepped up its counter-terrorism operations in central Gaza. An IDF spokesperson stated earlier today that soldiers had neutralized several enemy combatants in face-to-face encounters and uncovered weapons caches and military equipment.
The exact circumstances surrounding the deaths of Avnion and Knoller are under investigation. Current assessments suggest that their deaths were not caused by an explosive device detonation in Gaza. In the same incident, a reserve soldier from Battalion 121 of Brigade 8 was seriously wounded. Additionally, a soldier from Battalion 52, Brigade 401, sustained serious injuries during combat in southern Gaza. All wounded personnel have been evacuated to hospitals for medical treatment, and their families have been notified.
