IDF: Two soldiers killed by Israeli military drone exploding within Gaza outpost during operation

Two IDF reservist soldiers were killed when an Israeli military drone they were operating crashed and exploded inside their outpost in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldiers, from the 16th Brigade, went to investigate the crash site when the drone detonated. No other soldiers were wounded. The military has not clarified the type of drone or whether it carried any explosive payload.

Two IDF reservist soldiers were killed on Friday when an Israeli military drone they were operating crashed and exploded inside their outpost in the northern Gaza Strip. The soldiers, serving as part of the 16th Brigade, had successfully completed their first drone operation before the second mission ended in the crash. They went to investigate the crash site, at which point the drone exploded, according to 99th Division Chief Brig.-Gen. Elad Tzuri. The soldiers were evacuated to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon but were pronounced dead. Tzuri described them as excellent soldiers, noting one was a sergeant and the other a squad commander. The 16th Battalion had been operating in that area of the northern Gaza Strip since September 10. No other soldiers were wounded. The military has not clarified the type of drone or whether it was carrying any explosive payload or other munitions.