IDF reservist Avraham Azoulay killed in Gaza as terrorists attempted to abduct him

The IDF cleared for publication on Wednesday evening the news that Master Sergeant (res.) Avraham Azoulay, 25, from Yitzhar, was killed in combat in Gaza. The number of IDF fallen soldiers since the start of the war has now reached 889.

According to a preliminary investigation, during an operation in Khan Younis, terrorists emerged from underground and attacked an IDF unit. They attempted to abduct Azoulay, who served as a heavy equipment operator. He resisted them, and the terrorists shot and killed him. Security forces in the area opened fire on the terrorists, hit several of them, and thwarted the abduction. The details of the incident are still under investigation.

In a statement released today by Hamas’ military wing, the organization addressed the incident, claiming that its operatives attempted to abduct a soldier and managed to seize his weapon, but “conditions on the ground” prevented them from completing the abduction. According to Hamas, the incident occurred in the town of Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Younis.

Azoulay had served in the Paratroopers Brigade’s 202nd Battalion and completed his regular service with the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his regular service, he was assigned to Light Infantry Battalion 7106. From the outbreak of Operation Iron Swords until March 2024, he completed 66 days of active reserve duty and was promoted to Sergeant First Class. Later, following a period of desertion and disciplinary punishment, including imprisonment, he was demoted to the rank of Private. Afterward, he returned to reserve service and completed an additional 201 days.

This past June, he was called up for reserve duty and carried out engineering operations as a heavy equipment operator under the Southern Command. In light of the circumstances, the Chief of Staff, with the approval of the Minister of Defense and based on the recommendation of Azoulay’s direct commanders, decided to reinstate his rank and promote him to Master Sergeant.

Azoulay married just three months ago. He is survived by his wife, parents, and siblings. Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, eulogized him: “He was wholly devoted to the hilltop communities and the IDF.”

Earlier this week, five soldiers were killed in an explosive device incident in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip: Staff Sergeant Moshe Shmuel Nol, Sergeant First Class (res.) Binyamin Assouline, Staff Sergeant Noam Aharon Masgadyan, Sergeant Moshe Nissim Peresh, and Staff Sergeant Meir Shimon Amar. The five soldiers, from the Netzah Yehuda Battalion and the Northern Brigade, were killed after triggering explosive devices on a central route in Beit Hanoun. Fourteen other soldiers were wounded to varying degrees, including two in serious condition.

The IDF stated that the area where the soldiers were killed had been targeted by airstrikes in recent days as part of preparations for the ground maneuver in Beit Hanoun. However, it remains unclear how the explosive was triggered or whether terrorists had booby-trapped the area in advance. There is an assessment that the device may have been detonated remotely.

Written by KAN 11 correspondents Itay Blumenthal and Carmela Menashe.