IDF Mourns the Loss of Two Soldiers in Southern Gaza; Total War Casualties Reach 890
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit confirmed Friday morning the death of Captain Reei Biran, aged 21, from Shorashim, who fell in combat in the southern Gaza Strip. Captain Biran served as a squad commander in the Golani Reconnaissance Unit of the Golani Brigade.
According to a preliminary investigation, Biran’s unit was engaged in an operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Khan Yunis, specifically tasked with rigging buildings suspected of housing combatant activity. Approximately two hours into the mission, an explosion occurred during the rigging process, seriously injuring Biran. Despite efforts to save his life, he was later pronounced dead. The IDF is continuing to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the blast.
Captain Biran’s death marks another painful addition to the toll of this conflict—bringing the total number of IDF soldiers killed since the war began to 890.
Also cleared for publication was the tragic death of Abraham Azulay, 25, of Shaked Farm in the Yitzhar hills, who was killed on Wednesday night while operating engineering machinery in Gaza. Azulay had been married for just three months.
Azulay is the third resident of Yitzhar to fall in the war. He was one of many volunteers from the area assisting the IDF by operating heavy engineering equipment to support front-line operations.
An initial inquiry into his death revealed that during an IDF activity in Khan Yunis, Hamas terrorists emerged from an underground tunnel and launched a surprise attack. Azulay, serving as an engineering vehicle operator, resisted an apparent attempted abduction. In the confrontation, the terrorists fatally shot him.
IDF and security forces present in the area responded swiftly, engaging and neutralizing several of the attackers, effectively thwarting the kidnapping attempt. The full incident remains under IDF review.
As the war enters another difficult phase, the stories of Captain Reei Biran and Abraham Azulay stand as sobering reminders of the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of Israel’s defenders. Their memory will remain etched in the nation’s collective heart.
