IDF's 401st Brigade Commander, Col. Ehsan Daqsa, 41, Killed in Gaza Ambush

Oct 20, 2024, 04:30 PM

Colonel Ehsan Daqsa, 41, commander of the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) 401st "Iron Tracks" Armored Brigade under the 162nd Division, was killed during combat operations in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday. The highest-ranking IDF officer to die in ground combat since the start of the war, Daqsa was reportedly killed when his tank was struck by an explosive device during operations in Jabalia. An initial IDF investigation revealed that Daqsa and two other officers had exited their tanks when they were hit by the explosive device. The ambush also severely wounded the commander of the 52nd battalion. Daqsa, a Druze Israeli from Daliyat al-Karmel, was a recipient of the Chief of Staff's Citation. He had previously commanded the 474th "Golan" Territorial Brigade before being promoted to lead the 401st Brigade in June 2024.