An Israeli Black Hawk helicopter flies near the border with Gaza on Monday. Reuters
An Israeli Black Hawk helicopter flies near the border with Gaza on Monday. Reuters
An Israeli Black Hawk helicopter flies near the border with Gaza on Monday. Reuters
An Israeli Black Hawk helicopter flies near the border with Gaza on Monday. Reuters

Three Israeli soldiers killed in northern Gaza in army's biggest loss of life since ceasefire collapse


Thomas Helm
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in northern Gaza, the military said on Tuesday, in the army's biggest loss of life since Israel collapsed a ceasefire deal with Hamas in March.

Another two soldiers were injured when the group’s vehicle hit a roadside explosive device in the Jabalia area on Monday, according to an initial probe. The military found around 20 similar devices along the route, Israeli media reported.

The dead were named as Lior Steinberg, 20, Ofek Barhana, 20, and Omer Van Gelder, 22. The death toll of Israeli personnel in the Gaza war now stands at 423. At least 54,249 Palestinians have been killed and 123,492 wounded since the war began in October 2023.

Israeli soldiers standing on the Israeli side of the Gaza border. Reuters
Israeli soldiers standing on the Israeli side of the Gaza border. Reuters

The deaths of the soldiers highlight challenges the Israeli army faces in its campaign in the strip. Despite significantly weakening Hamas and other armed Palestinian factions in Gaza, Israeli troops continue to encounter deadly resistance.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement, sending “condolences from the depths of our hearts to the families of our fighters”.

There were widespread reports in Hebrew media in May that the Israeli army estimated Hamas to have around 40,000 fighters, roughly the same number as before the war broke out.

Israeli outlet Haaretz reported that the group still possesses thousands of short-range rockets, which continuously rained down on southern Israeli communities for months at the beginning of the war.

Haaretz also said a significant tunnel network remained in Gaza, which has been used to great effect by militants to hide hostages and move around the battlefield.

THREE
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The biog

Favourite hobby: taking his rescue dog, Sally, for long walks.

Favourite book: anything by Stephen King, although he said the films rarely match the quality of the books

Favourite film: The Shawshank Redemption stands out as his favourite movie, a classic King novella

Favourite music: “I have a wide and varied music taste, so it would be unfair to pick a single song from blues to rock as a favourite"

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

The Gentlemen

Director: Guy Ritchie

Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant 

Three out of five stars

WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.

Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.

The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Jordan cabinet changes

In

  • Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
  • Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
  • Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
  • Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
  • Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
  • Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
  • Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
  • Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
  • Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth

Out

  • Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
  • Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
  • Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
  • Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
  • Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
  • Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
  • Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
  • Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
  • Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
  • Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
  • Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
  • Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
War and the virus
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Updated: June 03, 2025, 9:26 AM`