One of the senior-most Israeli army commanders has been killed in Northern Gaza, announced the Israel military on Sunday (Oct 20).
Colonel Ahsan Daksa, commander of the 401st Brigade, was killed in an explosion in northern Gaza during an operation targeting Hamas. Another battalion commander and two officers suffered minor injuries in the same attack.
The incident occurred in the Jabalia area, where the officers stepped outside "to observe the area and were struck by an explosive," said military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari in a briefing.
'A hero' killed while fighting terrorists
In a statement, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Daksa was killed "while fighting Hamas terrorists".
Israel President Isaac Herzog said Daska was "a hero" and that his death was a "loss to Israel and for Israeli society".
Meanwhile, the Iran military, in an update on X, said that "Ehsan Daxa, the senior terrorist who commanded the 401st Brigade of the Zionist cult, has been neutralized by our Palestinian brothers while committing genocide in northern Gaza today."
Daksa, a Druze officer, had only been appointed as brigade commander four months prior and is considered one of the highest-ranking military officials to be killed in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
His brigade was leading the assault in Jabalia, which has been the focus of intense Israeli military operations against Hamas militants.
Since the ground offensive began on October 27, 2023, Israel has suffered 358 military casualties including Daksa.
The death toll from the ongoing assault in Jabalia and northern Gaza exceeds 400 in the Hamas-run territory, according to local civil defense authorities, as Israeli forces continue to target Hamas positions.
Ehsan Daxa, the senior terrorist who commanded the 401st Brigade of the Zionist cult, has been neutralized by our Palestinian brothers while committing genocide in northern Gaza today.