Tel Aviv, Israel – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed on Friday the tragic news of two soldiers who lost their lives in a battle in the Gaza Strip due to mortar fire. Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Omer Smadga, 25, hailing from Ganot Hadar and part of the 9203 Battalion in the Alexandroni Brigade, was one of the fallen soldiers in combat in the central Gaza Strip. Alongside him, Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Saadia Yaakov Dery, 27, from Tel Aviv, also a member of the 9203 Battalion in the Alexandroni Brigade, lost his life in the same conflict.
Reports indicated that three other soldiers suffered severe injuries in the same incident and were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care. Omer, the son of Oren Smadga, a former judoka and Olympic medalist who coached Israel’s judo team at the Olympic Games, leaves behind a legacy of bravery and sacrifice.
Saadia Yaakov Dery, survived by his wife, Rachel, and their two young children, aged two and one, was in the midst of studying for rabbinical exams before he was called up for reserves duty on October 7. This loss has been deeply felt by his family, friends, and the community at large.
The tragic event unfolded when an Alexandroni Brigade unit, patrolling the Netzarim corridor on foot, was suddenly ambushed by Hamas terrorists at close range. The terrorists launched five mortar shells at the soldiers, resulting in casualties. The IDF took swift action, with medical teams providing immediate treatment and evacuating the wounded soldiers via helicopters to hospitals in central Israel amid heavy gunfire in the area where the attack originated.