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IDF's Colonel Ehsan Daqsa, Highest-Ranking Officer Killed in Gaza, Dies in Jabalia Ambush

Oct 20, 2024, 04:19 PM

Colonel Ehsan Daqsa, the commander of the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) 401st "Iron Tracks" Armored Brigade, was killed during combat operations in the northern Gaza Strip. The incident occurred in the city of Jabalia, where his tank and another were struck by explosive devices. An initial IDF investigation suggests that Daqsa and two other officers were outside their tanks when an explosive device detonated, resulting in his death and severely wounding the commander of the 52nd battalion. Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigade, claimed responsibility for the attack and released footage purportedly showing an improvised explosive device exploding under a tank. Daqsa, aged 41, hailed from the Druze city of Daliyat al-Karmel and was the highest-ranking IDF officer killed in ground combat since the start of the current conflict. A recipient of the Chief of Staff's Citation, he had previously commanded the 474th "Golan" Territorial Brigade before assuming command of the 401st Armored Brigade in June 2024.