Israel confirms 2 deaths, 7 injuries in Gaza plane crash

Names officers involved in Gaza crash

 

Admin I Wednesday, September 11, 2024

 

GAZA, Palestine – The Israeli Defence Forces, IDF has confirmed that two soldiers were killed, when a  Yanshuf helicopter crashed in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, IDF Spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the seven other soldiers aboard the helicopter were severely injured.

“During the incident in which Chief Master Sergeant (res.) Daniel Alloush and Chief Master Sergeant (res.) Tom Ish-Shalom fell, a pilot, a reservist pilot, and a flight mechanic in the 123rd Squadron, a reservist medic, and a reservist soldier in the Special Tactics Rescue Unit 669 were severely injured.

“ In addition, a reservist combat medic in the Special Tactics Rescue Unit 669 and a reservist flight mechanic in the 123rd Squadron were moderately injured.

“Furthermore, a soldier in the 710th Combat Engineering Battalion, Combat Engineering Corps, was severely injured during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.

“The injured soldiers were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment. Their families have been notified”, he said.

He said the Air Force “Yanshuf” helicopter  was on a mission to evacuate an injured soldier to a hospital for medical treatment,  when it crashed while landing in the Rafah area in the Gaza Strip.

“An initial inquiry conducted indicates that the crash was not caused by enemy fire. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. There is no change to the IAF’s operational activities”, he said, adding “during the incident, seven additional soldiers were injured to varying degrees and were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment. Their families have been notified”, the IDF said in the statement.

Following the incident,  he said the Commander of the Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, appointed an IAF investigative committee to examine the circumstances of the incident.