Three IDF soldiers were killed, and 14 others were wounded in southern Gaza, the IDF said. Six of the 14 wounded were left in serious condition.
The Israeli troops were operating in a two-story building wherein they expected to confront terrorists when they encountered a number of booby traps.
According to the IDF, an Israel combat helicopter thereafter arrived at the scene and identified terrorists in the area before laying down fire.
Terrorists eliminated
The IDF noted that it believed the terrorists were killed in the encounter.
The terrorists engaged by the IDF helicopter were believed to be those who had booby-trapped the building.
On Saturday evening, the IDF named the three fallen soldiers as 19-year-old Sergeant Dolev Malka from Shlomi, 19-year-old Sergeant Afik Tery from Rehovot, and 20-year-old Sergeant Inon Yitzhak from Mitzpe Ramon.
All three were soldiers drafted into the Kfir Brigade and served in the 450th battalion of the Bislamach Brigade as part of the infantry commanders' training course.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.