Six IDF soldiers were killed Tuesday morning, 11 May 2004, during an IDF operation to target Qassam rocket workshops in Gaza City, when an Armored Personnel Carrier was struck by an explosive device planted by Palestinian terrorists. The APC was carrying explosives intended to be used to destroy the workshops. (IDF Spokesman, 11 May)
The six IDF soldiers from the Givati regiment were part of a large-scale operation in the Gaza City neighborhood of Zeitoun, aimed at destroying workshops producing Qassam rockets. The military wings of Islamic Jihad and Hamas - the Al-Quds Brigades and Iz a Din al-Kassam - claimed responsibility for planting the device.
On Wednesday evening, 12 May 2004, an IDF officer and four soldiers were killed, and three IDF soldiers were lightly injured, while preparing to detonate a weapon-smuggling tunnel on the Philadelphi Route near the Israeli-Egyptian border near Rafah. Their armored personnel carrier exploded, apparently after being hit by an anti-tank rocket.The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon spoke on May 13, 2004, with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and thanked him for Egypt’s assistance in returning the parts of IDF soldiers’ bodies, which were held by Palestinian terrorist organizations. He asked President Mubarak to convey his gratitude Minister Omar Suleiman for making a special effort in this regard.
On Friday, May 14, soldiers had entered a house in the Rafah refugee camp to provide cover for troops searching for remains of the five soldiers killed on May 12 on the Philadelphi Route. An elderly Palestinian woman carrying a heavy package was attempting to enter the house. When one of the soldiers approached to assist her he was shot and killed by a Palestinian sniper. When IDF forces arrived on the scene, another soldier was killed and two wounded. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.
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The soldiers killed:
11 May 2004
- Sgt. Adaron Amar, 20, of Eilat
- Sgt. Aviad Deri, 21, of Maale Adumim
- Staff-Sgt. Ofer Jerbi, 21, of Moshav Ben-Zakai
- Staff-Sgt. Ya'akov (Zelco) Marviza, 25, of Kibbutz Hama'apil
- Sgt. Kobi Mizrahi, 20, of Moshav Mata
- Staff-Sgt. Eitan Newman, 21, of Jerusalem
Adaron Amar Aviad Deri Ofer Jerbi
Yaakov Marviza Kobi Mizrahi Eitan Newman
12 May 2004
- Cpl. Elad Cohen, 20, of Jerusalem
- Sgt.-Maj. Aiman Ghadir, 24, of Bir Makhsur
- Capt. Avivv Hakani, 23, of Ashdod
- Sgt. Za'ur (Zohar) Smelev, 19, of Ofakim
- Sgt. Lior Vishinsky, 20, of Ramat Gan
Elad Cohen Aiman Ghadir Aviv Hakani
Zohar Smelev Lior Vishinsky
14 May 2004
- St.-Sgt. Rotem Adam, 21, of Rishon Lezion
- Sgt. Alexei Hayat, 21, of Beer Sheva
Rotem Adam Alexei Hayat
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon addressed the Knesset on 11 May:
"Today, we received a painful reminder of the heavy price we are paying for the struggle to defend our country and the security of our citizens. We are fighting against a cruel and inhumane enemy, and we will not cease to strike at them wherever they may operate or hide. I offer my condolences to the families of the victims, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured and a warm embrace to the soldiers and commanders who are currently carrying out a military operation."
FM Silvan Shalom updated US Secretary of State Colin Powell on events in Gaza and emphasized that Israel would do everything within its power to return the bodies of the IDF soldiers for burial in Israel. He said, “Israel is dealing with animals and will use of its resources to fight against them.” (MFA Spokesman, 11 May 2004)