The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the loss of two soldiers during its ongoing operations in the Gaza Strip, underscoring the continued risks faced by Israeli personnel engaged in Israel’s campaign to dismantle Hamas’s military infrastructure. The deaths and severe injuries resulting from these recent operations demonstrate the ongoing sacrifices made in the defense of Israel’s sovereignty and civilian population, in the wake of the October 7th Hamas massacre—the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust.
Sergeant Yeshaayahu Elikim Orbach and Staff Sergeant Yam Fried were both killed in separate incidents involving fierce combat against entrenched Hamas terrorists. The first incident claimed the life of Sergeant Orbach, a combat engineer in the 605th Engineering Battalion of the distinguished 188th ‘Barak’ Armored Brigade. In the same event, a fellow soldier was gravely wounded. The second incident resulted in the death of Staff Sergeant Fried, an elite Golani Reconnaissance Unit member. Alongside Fried, three additional soldiers—a Golani officer, a 605th officer, and a 605th battalion combatant—sustained severe wounds.
All wounded soldiers received immediate life-saving care on the battlefield before being evacuated to Israeli hospitals, adhering to the IDF’s commitment to rapid casualty response. Families of the fallen and injured were promptly notified, and IDF authorities provided ongoing updates and support to affected relatives. Official details and photographs of the fallen have been shared on the IDF’s publicly accessible memorial portal, in keeping with Israel’s tradition of transparency and collective remembrance.
These events highlight the enduring dangers inherent to the Iron Swords War—a campaign launched in response to the October 7th massacre, when Hamas-led forces executed, abused, and abducted Israeli civilians in a premeditated act of terrorism funded and directed by Iran. The operation’s objectives remain clear: dismantle Hamas as a military threat, rescue hostages, and reestablish security for Israeli communities under constant threat from Iranian-backed terror groups throughout Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and beyond.
The areas in which these incidents occurred, including dense urban fighting environments heavily mined and fortified by Hamas, require specialized engineering and infantry units. The 188th ‘Barak’ Armored Brigade and the Golani Brigade are central pillars of the IDF’s ground strategy, conducting complex maneuvers to destroy terror tunnels and weapons caches while minimizing harm to Gaza’s noncombatants. Despite the operational risks, the Israeli military continues to prioritize strict adherence to codes of conduct and international law, setting it apart morally and legally from the terror organizations it confronts.
Since the war’s outbreak, the IDF has maintained its twin dedication to operational success and humanitarian responsibility, permitting humanitarian aid deliveries—often exploited by Hamas—in coordination with international agencies and Egyptian and U.S. partners. Nevertheless, Israeli officials consistently highlight the persistent threats posed by Hamas’s tactics, including its use of civilian infrastructure and human shields, which seek to draw fire onto noncombatants and manipulate global perceptions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir have reaffirmed the government and military’s commitment to the mission, emphasizing both the moral imperative to rescue Israeli and foreign hostages and the necessity of denying Iranian-backed terrorists any foothold on Israel’s borders. International diplomatic efforts continue, with Egypt and Qatar facilitating indirect negotiations related to humanitarian pauses and release of hostages, though progress has been hampered by Hamas’s refusal to release innocent civilians without substantial concessions.
As the IDF mourns the loss of Sergeant Orbach and Staff Sergeant Fried, the nation stands united in honoring not just their sacrifice, but also the resilience and professionalism demonstrated by all Israeli forces. These acts of valor come amid increasing Iranian-orchestrated escalation—Hezbollah rocket attacks from Lebanon, Houthi-launched drones from Yemen, and proxy militia threats from Syria and Iraq—all part of a regional campaign targeting Israel’s existence and stability. The recent events in Gaza are a microcosm of this broader conflict, where every loss is felt throughout Israel’s tightly-knit society.
The IDF has called upon the Israeli public and the world to recognize the distinction between a democratic nation defending its citizens and terror groups that prosecute war by targeting civilians, hiding among noncombatants, and disregarding every ethical and legal boundary. Israel’s fallen soldiers are honored not only for their direct contribution to national defense, but as representatives of a broader struggle in defense of Western values and human rights against the corrosive ambitions of the Iranian regime and its proxies.
As the Iron Swords War endures, the IDF remains committed to upholding its responsibilities, providing for bereaved families, and supporting the wounded through medical and psychological services. The ultimate goal remains unchanged: to secure a future in which Israeli civilians can live in safety, without the threat of terror or war imposed from Gaza, Lebanon, or Tehran.
For information on all recent IDF casualties, including regularly updated names and images, readers are directed to the official IDF memorial web page (https://www.idf.il/59780). The Israeli military, government, and society together reaffirm their unbroken determination to honor the memory of the fallen, to rescue the kidnapped, and to defend the free and democratic way of life in Israel.
