Staff sergeant Amit Cohen fell in battle in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, the IDF announced Monday evening. Cohen, 19, from Holon, served as a soldier in the 13th Battalion, Golani Brigade, and was killed in an explosion that occurred in Khan Younis.
A combat officer in the 13th Battalion was seriously injured in the same incident. "The officer was evacuated to receive medical treatment at the hospital, his family has been notified," an IDF spokesman said. The incident is suspected to have been caused by improper handling of an explosive device.
Since the beginning of the war, 894 IDF soldiers have fallen in battle.
Amit is survived by his parents and two younger siblings. The city of Holon said in a statement: "His heroism, determination and fortitude will always be with us. All of Holon grieves the severe loss and embraces the family and loved ones of the late Amit."
Amit graduated in the same class of Danilo Mocanu, a Golani fighter who died last May in a building collapse in Khan Younis. Their teacher, Ilanit, wrote: "Another of my beloved students was killed in Gaza today. From the same class as the late Dani Mocanu who was killed two months ago. Another family shattered, more friends with immense sadness and concern for what will happen to them. Children so young, their whole lives ahead of them. They haven't experienced anything yet. May this terrible war be over already. He was always so tough, and inside he was a gentle child. Love him forever."
Earlier Monday, IDF forces began operating in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, an area that the IDF spokesman in Arabic ordered evacuated. The ground activity was preceded by a wave of preparatory strikes on the ground and in the air.
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Last week, three armored fighters from the 52nd Battalion in the 401st Brigade were killed: Sergeant Shoham Menachem, Sergeant Shlomo Yakir Shrem, and Sergeant Yuli Factor . As the investigation progresses, there are increasing signs that there were no malfunctions in the Israeli shells that were in the belly of the armored vehicle , one of which apparently exploded and caused the fatal outcome, which also included the very serious injury of the officer in the tank. Initially, the army believed that it was a hit from anti-tank fire by terrorists, but later the possibility that the explosion was caused by an external impact was ruled out. It remains under investigation.