Image Credentials: Image Title: Three Givati Brigade Soldiers Killed in Gaza Minefield Incident Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: June 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
Tuesday, June 4, 2025 | Tel Aviv
By Staff Writer with Agencies
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the deaths of three soldiers from the Givati Brigade’s 9th Battalion who were killed in a minefield in the northern Gaza Strip during combat operations. The soldiers, Staff Sergeant Lior Steinberg (20) from Petah Tikva, Staff Sergeant Ofek Barhana (20) from Yavne, and Staff Sergeant Omer Van Gelder (22) from Ma’ale Adumim, lost their lives in Jabaliya on Monday while responding to an earlier incident involving an armored personnel carrier.
Horrific news : Tears this morning 😢
It can now be published:
The names of 3 IDF Givati brigade soldiers that were killed yesterday in Jabalia, northern Gaza :
– Sgt. Lior Steinberg, 20, from Petah Tikva, combat medic in the Rotem Battalion, 9th Battalion, Givati… pic.twitter.com/Cch5pVkxkB
— Iris (@streetwize) June 3, 2025
Steinberg and Barhana served as combat medics, while Van Gelder was a squad commander. Two additional soldiers were moderately wounded in the explosion.
Chain of Events
According to an initial IDF investigation, the incident began when troops from the Rotem Battalion, operating under the 9th Armoured Battalion’s command, ran over a mine while patrolling in a Namer armored personnel carrier (APC). The vehicle caught fire, prompting an emergency response.
A separate force, including a Hummer and a military fire truck, was dispatched to assist in extinguishing the fire and recovering the vehicle. While en route, the Hummer, which was escorting the fire truck, hit another mine. The powerful blast killed three of its passengers and injured two others.
Subsequent analysis revealed that the units had entered a large and heavily booby-trapped minefield, containing dozens of explosive devices. Combat engineers and IDF sappers were immediately deployed to clear the area.
National Mourning
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement mourning the soldiers, praising their courage and sacrifice:
“On behalf of all Israeli citizens, my wife and I send heartfelt condolences to the families of the heroic soldiers Staff Sergeant Lior Steinberg, Staff Sergeant Ofek Barhana, and Staff Sergeant Omer Van Gelder, who fell in Gaza in the campaign to defeat Hamas and free our hostages. Our hearts ache for the families in their darkest moments. We will forever appreciate the heroism of our soldiers… May their memories be blessed and forever in the heart of the nation.”
Growing Toll
The loss brings the number of IDF soldiers killed since the start of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023, to 861. Fighting in northern Gaza, particularly in the Jabaliya area, remains intense as Israeli forces continue efforts to dismantle Hamas infrastructure and clear densely mined zones.
Military analysts say the use of minefields has increased dramatically, especially in urban zones where Hamas fighters have embedded explosives in strategic locations to slow IDF advances and cause maximum damage.
The IDF emphasized its ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of its troops through reconnaissance, engineering support, and intelligence cooperation, but acknowledged the risks remain high in such complex and hostile terrain.
A Nation Remembers
The deaths of Steinberg, Barhana, and Van Gelder mark another painful chapter in Israel’s prolonged campaign in Gaza. In communities across the country, flags were lowered to half-mast, and memorial ceremonies are planned in their hometowns over the coming days.
All three soldiers were remembered not only for their military service but also for their commitment to saving lives as medics and leading others as commanders.
As Israel continues its military operations, the loss of these young lives underscores the enduring cost of the conflict and the deep personal sacrifices borne by families and communities across the nation.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.