Colonel Ehsan Daksa, commander of the IDF’s 401 armored brigade, was killed on Sunday in the northern Gaza Strip, the Israeli army announced. Aged 41, Daksa is the highest-ranking officer to lose his life since the start of the Israeli ground operation in Gaza.
According to information provided by the army, Colonel Daksa lost his life when his tank hit an explosive device in the town of Jabaliya. Military authorities are also examining the possibility that the incident involved anti-tank fire.
A native of Daliat el-Carmel and a member of the Druze community, Daksa was considered one of the most prominent field commanders in the Israeli Army. His military career included command positions in various armored units and strategic responsibilities within the IDF Northern Command. The Israeli army spokesperson said the situation at the incident site was now under operational control. Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, commander of the 162nd Division, took personal direction of operations on the ground. Since the start of the conflict on October 7, five Israeli colonels have lost their lives.
