The IDF announced on Tuesday that three soldiers: St.-Sgt. Lior Steinberg, St.-Sgt. Ofek Barhana, and St.-Sgt. Omer Van Gelder, were killed when their Hummer vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device in Jabalia in northern Gaza.
Two other soldiers were seriously wounded, and nine other soldiers were moderately or lightly wounded in the same incident.
All three killed soldiers served in the 9th Battalion of the Givati Brigade.
Although few IDF soldiers died in the first month of renewed hostilities in March, the number of IDF deaths has jumped since the military broadened its operation a few weeks ago.
It was easier to avoid IDF soldiers getting killed and wounded when the military was not seeking to control land and remain in stationary positions.
But with a key point to the military's new invasion strategy being to seize land and corner Hamas into about 25% of Gaza or less, IDF soldiers holding many positions and carrying out routine patrols following standard patterns may continue to make easier targets.
The government hopes that Hamas's will to resist will break sooner than the country's tolerance for dying soldiers.
Eulogizing the three killed soldiers
Steinberg, 20, was from Petah Tikva, Barhana, 20, was from Yavne, and Gelder, 22, and their squad commander, was from Maaleh Adumim.
The funeral for Steinberg was due to be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Segula Military Cemetery in Petah Tikva.
Barhana is survived by his parents, Mamo and Lea, and his four siblings. His funeral was due to be held at 4 p.m. in the military section of the Yavne cemetery.
Omer's funeral was due to be held at 4:00 p.m. at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl.
In another incident in Jabalia, terrorists fired at a rescue helicopter from Unit 669. One soldier was seriously wounded, three were moderately wounded, and one was lightly wounded.
In a series of other incidents in the southern Gaza Strip, 14 soldiers were moderately and lightly wounded, though most of them did not require evacuation.
Ma'ale Adumim Mayor Guy Yifrach said that Omer studied at Amit Eitan School, loved Israel, and "gave his life for the people and the land" through volunteering from a young age.
"On behalf of all the residents of Ma’ale Adumim—we embrace the family and will support them in every step and every need," Yifrach said.
Petah Tikva Mayor Rami Greenberg said that Steinberg was "one of the best sons of Petah Tikva - a brave fighter, a beloved person who went out to defend us all and did not return."
"We will always remember Lior with pride and gratitude," Greenberg said.Yavne Mayor Roei Gabay said that Barhana was a graduate of Yavne's public education system and a former basketball player for Elitzur Yavne B.C.
"On my behalf and on behalf of the residents of the city, we extend a comforting embrace to Ofek’s family. Our hearts are with you in this difficult time. No words can truly console you," Gabay concluded.