Two Israeli soldiers were killed and several others injured when a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the southern Gaza Strip early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred as the helicopter attempted a landing inside an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) encampment in Rafah.
The Black Hawk, from the IAF’s 123rd Squadron, was on a mission to evacuate a combat engineer who had been seriously injured in recent fighting. The helicopter, carrying a Unit 669 medical team, failed to execute a safe landing, impacting the ground during the final approach at approximately 12:30 a.m.
In total, two soldiers lost their lives, and eight others were hospitalized, including four in serious condition. The seriously injured included the combat engineer who was being evacuated. The precise cause of the crash remains under investigation, with the Israeli Air Force (IAF) labeling the event as an accident.
IAF Chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar has initiated a probe to determine the factors leading to the crash. The names of the deceased soldiers have not yet been released, but their families have been notified by the IDF.
Black Hawk helicopters, known as Yanshuf or “Owl” in Hebrew, are utilized by the IAF for a range of operations, including troop transport and medical evacuations. During the ongoing conflict in Gaza, these helicopters have played a critical role in evacuating wounded soldiers, with nearly 2,000 such evacuations recorded.
Key Points:
- Helicopter Crash: A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed in the southern Gaza Strip early Wednesday morning, resulting in two soldier fatalities and several injuries.
- Mission Details: The helicopter, from the Israeli Air Force’s 123rd Squadron, was tasked with evacuating a seriously wounded combat engineer from Rafah.
- Crash Details: The crash occurred during the final landing phase inside an IDF encampment at around 12:30 a.m., with the helicopter impacting the ground rather than landing properly.
- Casualties and Injuries: Two soldiers were killed, and eight others were injured, including four in serious condition. The seriously injured include the combat engineer being evacuated.
- Investigation: The Israeli Air Force has initiated an investigation into the accident to determine the cause of the crash.
- Helicopter Role: Black Hawk helicopters, known as Yanshuf or “Owl” in Hebrew, are used for various operations, including troop transport and medical evacuations. During the Gaza conflict, they have been vital for evacuating wounded soldiers, with nearly 2,000 such evacuations reported.
