Two IDF soldiers were killed when a drone that they were operating landed and exploded within their military outpost in the northern Gaza Strip, the military said on Friday.
The soldiers, who were reservists serving as part of the 16th Brigade, were initially evacuated to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon but were pronounced dead, 99th Division Chief Brig.-Gen. Elad Tzuri said.
The two soldiers were Maj. (Res.) Nadav Kali, 24, from Har Halutz, and Maj. (Res.) Ofek Moalem, 23, from Jerusalem.
The soldiers were operating a drone, successfully completing their first operation, Tzuri noted.
However, during the second operation, the drone crashed within their outpost in the northern Gaza Strip. The two soldiers went to investigate the crash site, at which time the drone exploded, Tzuri said.
The two were “excellent soldiers,” Tzuri said, highlighting that one was a sergeant and the other a squad commander.
The 16th Brigade had been operating in this area of the northern Gaza Strip since September 10, Tzuri clarified.
No other soldiers were wounded in the incident, Tzuri added.
Defense Minister Israel Katz shared his condolences for the two fallen soldiers in a post on X/Twitter.
“At the hour when the people of Israel is preparing for the holiday, two dear families are grappling with the worst of all,” Katz wrote.
ערב חג הסוכות, בשורה קשה וכואבת על נפילתם ברצועת עזה של רס”ר (מיל׳) נדב קלי ורס”ר (מיל׳) אופק מועלם, לוחמי צה”ל בחטיבה 16.
בשעה שבה עם ישראל נערך לקראת החג, שתי משפחות יקרות מתמודדות עם הנורא מכול. בשם מערכת הביטחון כולה, אני מבקש לחבק ולשלוח תנחומים מעומק הלב למשפחותיהם.
יהי… pic.twitter.com/DSmx4HzxVK
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) September 25, 2026
“On behalf of the entire security establishment, I wish to embrace and send condolences from the depths of the heart to their families. May the memory of Nadav and Ofek be a blessing.”
IDF investigating whether Hamas responsible for incident
The IDF is investigating whether Hamas utilized the electromagnetic spectrum to bring down the drone. The IDF currently believes that Hamas lacks the operational capability in the spectrum domain to carry out such a maneuver.
The investigation is also examining how the explosive device detonated as the two soldiers approached the drone. The IDF declined to specify whether it was a suicide drone or a drone designed to drop munitions.
The IDF has grounded all attack and munition-dropping drones across all combat sectors pending the outcome of the investigation into this serious incident.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
