Two IDF soldiers killed in drone accident during operation within Gaza outpost

The two soldiers were operating the drone when it crashed; they went to investigate the crash site, and the drone exploded, 99th Division Chief Brig.-Gen. Elad Tzuri said.

Two IDF soldiers were killed when a drone that they were operating landed and exploded within their military outpost in the northern Gaza Strip, the military said on Friday.

The soldiers, who were reservists serving as part of the 16th Brigade, were initially evacuated to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon but were pronounced dead, 99th Division Chief Brig.-Gen. Elad Tzuri said.

The two soldiers were Maj. (Res.) Nadav Kali, 24, from Har Halutz, and Maj. (Res.) Ofek Moalem, 23, from Jerusalem.

The soldiers were operating a drone, successfully completing their first operation, Tzuri noted.

However, during the second operation, the drone crashed within their outpost in the northern Gaza Strip. The two soldiers went to investigate the crash site, at which time the drone exploded, Tzuri said.

The two were "excellent soldiers," Tzuri said, highlighting that one was a sergeant and the other a squad commander.

The 16th Brigade had been operating in this area of the northern Gaza Strip since September 10, Tzuri clarified.

No other soldiers were wounded in the incident, Tzuri added.

At the time of writing, the military has not clarified the type of drone or whether it was carrying any explosive payload or other form of munitions.