The IDF conducted a secondary investigation into the deaths of four IDF soldiers who were killed when their Hummer transport vehicle ran over an improvised explosive on September 18, the military stated on Thursday.
According to the IDF, the officers were traveling as the lead vehicle in a convoy during offensive operations in Rafah when the explosion occurred.
The convoy included two additional Humvees, an infantry element, a D9 bulldozer, and six excavators.
The IDF said the probe’s findings were shared transparently with the families. The military expressed condolences and said it will continue to support and accompany them.
The initial event killed four, wounded three IDF soldiers
The soldiers killed were Maj. Omri Chai Ben Moshe, 26, from Tzafriya; Lt. Ron Arieli, 20, from Hadera; Lt. Eitan Avner Ben Itzhak, 22, from Har Brakha; and Lt. Eran Shalem, 23, from Ramat Yohanan. Three additional soldiers were wounded in the incident.
In September, the IDF stated that the area had been previously checked using various techniques.
However, Hamas had proven adept at placing IEDs during the window between when an earlier unit had checked the area and a less protected unit then came through.