The IDF announced that Lt.-Col. Salman Habaka from Yanuh-Jat was killed in action in northern Gaza Strip. He was a commander of the 53rd Batallion of the 188 Barak Brigade.

Habaka leaves a wife behind and a child of two years.

The IDF reported that during the fighting between IDF forces on the ground and Hamas terrorists throughout Wednesday night, Habaka led an armored unit, while also covering Golani soldiers. Habaka died on the spot.

The Druze soldier first arrived in the South on October 7. He was one of the first to engage with terrorists at Kibbutz Beiri, and killed dozens.

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Over 300 IDF soldiers killed

Since October 7, more than 300 IDF soldiers were killed. 18 of them died this week when the IDF began its ground invasion in Gaza, which was fought fiercely with Hamas terrorists.