An IDF officer was killed in an operational accident in the Khan Younis area of the Gaza Strip on Shabbos, the IDF announced on Motzei Shabbos.

He was identified as Lt. Ori Gerlic, H’yd, 20, from the town of Meitar, an officer in the Shimshon Battalion of the Kfir Brigade.

Army Radio reported that as IDF forces were operating in Khan Younis, destroying terror infrastructure and booby-trapping them with explosives, an IDF explosive accidentally detonated, seriously injuring Gerlic.

An IDF medical team administered emergency medical care and began evacuating him to Soroka Hospital but was forced to pronounce him dead during the evacuation.

Hashem Yikam Damo.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)