Four soldiers were killed in battle in northern Gaza, the IDF announced Saturday night.
The soldiers were Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Alexander Fedorenko, St.-Sgt. Danila Diakov, Sgt. Yahav Maayan, and Sgt. Eliav Astuker.
Fedorenko, 37, was from Bat Yam, and was a truck driver in the IDF's 79th Battalion in the 14th Brigade.
The other three soldiers were much younger and were all part of the 931st Battalion in the Nahal Brigade.
Diakov, 21, was from Ma'ale Adumim. Maayan, 19, was from Modi’in. Astuker, 19, was from Ashdod.
The IDF also stated that a reservist officer in the Nahal Brigade and a soldier in the 931st Battalion were severely wounded on Saturday. Both were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment.
The four soldiers were killed after terrorists ambushed an IDF convoy traveling through Beit Hanoun and detonated an explosive device, according to Army Radio.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he grieves the loss of the four soldiers in a statement on X/Twitter. "Their heroism and courage will be etched in our hearts forever. Our hearts go out to their grieving families in these difficult times. We will not forget the heavy price they bore for all of us."
יחד עם כל אזרחי ישראל, אני כואב את נפילתם של ארבעת לוחמי צה”ל – סמ”ר דנילה דיאקוב, רס”ם (במיל’) אלכסנדר פדורנקו, סמל יהב מעיין וסמל אליאב אסטיוקאר ז”ל.הם נפלו על הגנת המולדת בקרבות בצפון רצועת עזה, במלחמה על קיומנו וביטחוננו. גבורתם ואומץ לבם יחרטו בליבנו לעד.ליבנו עם… pic.twitter.com/3wu2EiK4Xc
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) January 11, 2025
Defense Minister Israel Katz wrote on X/Twitter that it's "a very difficult evening for the State of Israel after we learned of the fall of four of our best sons. May their memory be a blessing."
Statements by Israeli mayors in response
Ma'ale Adumim Mayor Guy Ifrach issued a statement regarding Diakov's death, referring to him as a "hero of Israel" and saying that his "heart goes out to his dear family members."
Modi'in Mayor Haim Bivas stated that Maayan's funeral will be held on Sunday at 11 a.m. at the city's military cemetery.
"On behalf of the city's residents, I send my sincere condolences to his parents - Gali and Nir, to his siblings - Gaya, Jonathan, Agam, and Noya, and to his entire grieving family," he said.