A rescue mission in the Gaza Strip turned tragic late Tuesday night when an Israeli Air Force helicopter crashed during an attempted evacuation of an injured soldier. The accident, which occurred near Rafah, resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and left eight others injured, prompting an immediate investigation by military authorities. The two were later named as Sergeant Major (res.) Daniel Alloush and Sergeant Major (res.) Tom Ish-Shalom.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the crash was not caused by enemy fire, with military officials currently exploring potential technical malfunctions or human error as possible causes. The exact circumstances of the incident remain under intense scrutiny.
Video: Scene of the IDF helicopter crash / Credit: Free usage under Israeli copyright law (Section 27A)
The crash claimed the lives of two soldiers who were aboard the helicopter. Among the eight injured, one is in critical condition, and four are seriously wounded, including the soldier who was initially to be evacuated. The remaining three sustained varying degrees of injuries.
In response to the tragedy, Israeli Air Force Commander, Major General Tomer Bar, has appointed an internal investigative committee to conduct a thorough examination of the incident.
The military launched an immediate operation to evacuate all casualties and secure the crash site. Four additional helicopters were dispatched to assist, with the evacuation completed by 2:00 a.m. A team has been sent to the accident site to gather evidence and begin the investigative process, working in coordination with the local division.
According to initial reports, the incident occurred around 12:40 a.m. The helicopter had arrived at the Philadelphi Corridor carrying medical personnel to evacuate a soldier from the Givati Brigade who had been wounded by gunfire. The crash happened as the aircraft was descending to land at the designated evacuation point.
