Johannesburg,South Africa

Israeli Defence Forces(IDF) has announced that senior commander of the 401st Brigade,Colonel Ahsan Daksa(41) was killed in Jabalia,northern Gaza in an explosive device trap.

On Sunday,the IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari has revealed that Colonel Daksa was not alone in that area when he was killed by an explosive device blast which was planted by Palestinian resistance fighters.

Hagari said today,during an encounter in northern Gaza in the Jabaliya area,the Commander of the 401st Brigade,Colonel Ahsan Daksa,fell in combat.During the same incident,a battalion commander was seriously injured,and two additional officers were lightly injured.The commanders were in the field in tanks,exited to observe the area,and were struck by an explosive while outside the tank.

Hagari mentioned that Colonel Daksa has been on the battlefield from day one of Gaza invasion and has been present in fighting in places such as northern Gaza,Rafah and Jabalia,and he fought even in the Second Lebanon War.

"Since the first day of the war,the soldiers and commanders of the 401st Brigade have been fighting in Gaza,leading the entry into northern Gaza,then Rafah,and now Jabaliya.Ahsan was an outstanding officer and a humble warrior who served in various combat positions within the Armored Corps.He was previously awarded a Chief of the General Staff Citation for his bravery during the Second Lebanon War,when he evacuated wounded soldiers under fire,"said Hagari.

According to Hagari,Daksa left his studies after the hearing about the October 7 attack in southern Israel and was promoted few months ago as the Commander of 401st Brigade.

Hagari also revealed that on October 7th,he left his studies and arrived immediately to the fighting in the south and has fought ever since.He assumed command of the 401st Brigade about four months ago.He led the fighting in Tel al-Sultan in Rafah shortly after taking command,commanding the brigade's efforts in defeating a Hamas battalion and leading the encirclement of the area and the elimination of many terrorists,which most likely prevented Sinwar's escape before his elimination.He continued leading the brigade in the ongoing battle in the Jabaliya,where they remain engaged.Ahsan led from the front and fell while leading his troops.

Daksa left behind his wife and three children,he hails from a Druze community in Daliyat al-Karmel.

Under the command of Colonel Daksa,the 401st Brigade has slaughtered thousands of civilians in the Gaza Strip where it was operating,and majority of those murdered were women,children and elderly people.He was responsible for the demolition of civilian infrastructure such as health institutions,education facilities and worship places.He was one of the Israeli commanders which blocked the humanitarian aid to enter in the enclave with intention of seeing Palestinians dying of hunger,dehydration and diseases.

The IDF has announced the replacement of Daksa within few hours of his death and the 401st Brigade is expected to continue with the war in Gaza.

Hagari said the commanders of the 401st Brigade will continue to fight and are currently leading operations in Gaza.Colonel Meir Biderman,who has served as Deputy Commander of the 162nd Division,will assume Ahsan' position.