Lieutenant Colonel Salman Habakar, a tank commander in the Israeli Army (IDF), tragically lost his life during a ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip on the 2nd. The 33-year-old officer gained recognition as a national hero for his courageous actions during a Hamas raid on southern Israel. Reports from Israeli media outlets such as ‘The Times of Israel’ and ‘Israel National News’ confirm that Lieutenant Colonel Habakar, commander of the 53rd Battalion of the 188th Armored Brigade, died in combat against Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip. His unfortunate demise marks the highest-ranking officer killed during IDF ground operations in Gaza thus far. The IDF reports that a total of 18 soldiers have lost their lives since the commencement of the ground operation in Gaza.
Lieutenant Colonel Habakar played a crucial role in responding to the initial attack by Hamas militants last month. Leading two tanks into Kibbutz Vieri, he fearlessly joined forces with the parachute unit to carry out missions. During this time, he valiantly fought against numerous militants, ensuring the rescue of sheltering residents. Recognizing the importance of securing various targets under attack by Hamas, Lieutenant Colonel Habakar ordered the relocation of soldiers from the 53rd Battalion from Hebron in the West Bank to the Cheelim base in the south. This enabled him to protect Kibbutzim Kfar Aja, Nahal Oz, and Vieri from further harm. In his own words, “The situation in Vieri was very bad, but we had the main task of saving the remaining residents and eliminating as many militants as possible. We went to every house and neutralized the militants.” His decisive actions during this period cemented his status as a national hero.
Tragically, Lieutenant Colonel Habakar’s life was cut short as he entered the Gaza Strip. Before embarking on his fateful mission, he spent a brief but cherished moment with his wife and two-year-old son. Now, his grieving family and the IDF mourn the loss of a brave and selfless soldier.
In addition to Lieutenant Colonel Habakar’s sacrifice, the IDF announced that three soldiers suffered serious injuries during the battle in the northern Gaza Strip on the same day. Another soldier from the Caracal Battalion, operating in the Paran Brigade area, was also injured. The injured personnel include a reserve officer from the 679th Brigade, an officer from the Givati Brigade, and a soldier from the 614th Battalion of the Combat Engineer School.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to all those affected by these tragic events.
Lieutenant Colonel Salman Habakar was killed in action in the northern Gaza Strip on the 2nd. /IDF
On the 7th of last month, Lieutenant Colonel Salman Habaka (33), an Israeli Army (IDF) tank commander who was called a ‘national hero’ for his actions during the Hamas raid on southern Israel, was killed during an operation on the ground in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
According to the Israeli media ‘The Times of Israel’ and ‘Israel National News’ on the 2nd (local time), Lieutenant Colonel Habaka, the commander of the 53rd Battalion of the 188th Armored Brigade, died during a battle with Hamas in the northern part from the Gaza Strip. Lt. Col. Habaka is the highest ranking officer killed so far during IDF ground operations in the Gaza Strip. According to the IDF, 18 soldiers have been killed since the ground operation in Gaza began.
Lieutenant Colonel Habaka was one of the members of the IDF who first responded when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on the 7th of last month, leading two tanks into Kibbutz Vieri, joining the parachute unit and conduct operations. He fought dozens of militants and rescued residents hiding in homes and shelters.
He also ordered the relocation of some soldiers of the 53rd Battalion from Hebron in the West Bank to the base of Cheelim in the south, and moved to Kibbutzim Kfar Aja, Nahal Oz, and Vieri, which were attacked by Hamas. “The situation in Vieri was very bad, but we had the main task of saving the remaining residents and killing as many militants as possible,” said Lt. Col. Habaka at the time. “We went to every house and eliminated the militants.”
At the time, Lieutenant Colonel Habaca, who quickly issued the order for the operation, was revered as a national hero. His family said they spent time together briefly before he entered the Gaza Strip. He is survived by his wife and two-year-old son.
The IDF announced that three soldiers were seriously injured in the battle in the northern Gaza Strip on this day, and one soldier from the Caracal Battalion, which was operating in the Paran Brigade area, was also injured. The soldiers injured in the Gaza Strip included one reserve officer from the 679th Brigade, one officer from the Givati Brigade, and one soldier from the 614th Battalion of the Combat Engineer School.
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