‘Israeli’ Explosives Result in Death of Military’s Own ‘Platoon Commander’ in Southern Gaza
A platoon commander serving with Israel's largest infantry brigade was reportedly killed when explosives belonging to the brigade detonated near him during an operation in the southern Gaza Strip.
Israeli media reported on Saturday that the development involved 20-year-old Lt. Ori Gerlic, who serves as a commander in the Shimshon Battalion of the military’s Kfir Brigade.
The military has reported that Gerlic lost his life in Khan Younis due to the detonation of Israeli ordnance near him during an operation targeting a site allegedly linked to Gaza’s Hamas resistance movement.
The announcement of the death came after receiving clearance from the military’s stringent censorship body, which is frequently reported to have been making extensive efforts to hide wartime casualties of the regime.
The military has launched an inquiry into the incident that resulted in one more fatality, adding to the 73 deaths attributed to “operational accidents,” as termed by the regime.
The recent developments have incensed the regime’s settlers, who have seen the loss of approximately 20 captives detained in Gaza due to what are described as indiscriminate and hasty Israeli actions.
According to military reports, up to 899 troops have lost their lives since October 2023, amidst actions by the regime characterized as a genocidal war aimed at taking complete control of Gaza.
Numerous assessments suggest that the figure is significantly understated, referencing confirmed reports regarding the regime’s intense campaign of censorship.
Israeli authorities have enacted measures to prohibit the documentation and distribution of evidence pertaining to casualties and destruction caused by coordinated regional retaliatory actions against the state.
They have also endorsed contentious directives such as the “Hannibal Protocol,” which encourages Israeli forces to open fire on their own troops if they are taken captive, under the belief that a deceased soldier is preferable to one who is alive but held in captivity.
