Colonel Ehsan Daksa, commander of the IDF’s 401st Armored Brigade, was killed in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, becoming the highest-ranking officer to lose his life since the onset of Israel’s ground operation in the area. He was 41 years old.
The Israeli military stated that Colonel Daksa’s tank detonated an explosive device while he was operating in the city of Jabaliya. Investigations are currently ongoing to ascertain whether anti-tank fire contributed to the incident.
Hailing from Daliat el-Carmel and a member of the Druze community, Daksa was widely respected within the IDF as one of its leading field commanders.
Over the course of his career, he held various command roles within armored units and took on significant strategic responsibilities in the IDF’s Northern Command.
In the wake of the incident, the IDF announced that operational control at the scene has been secured, with Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, commander of the 162nd Division, personally overseeing ground operations.
Since the conflict erupted on October 7, the IDF has reported the deaths of five Israeli colonels amid the ongoing fighting.
The loss of Colonel Daksa marks a significant moment in the conflict, highlighting the escalating dangers faced by military personnel in the region. The IDF is committed to continuing its operations in Gaza while ensuring the safety and effectiveness of its ground forces.
As investigations proceed, the military will assess the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident and adjust strategies as necessary.
