Colonel Ehsan Daksa, commander of the IDF’s 401st Armored Brigade, was killed in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, making him the highest-ranking officer to die since Israel’s ground operation began in the area. He was 41 years old.

The Israeli military reported that Colonel Daksa’s tank struck an explosive device while operating in the city of Jabaliya. Investigations are underway to determine if anti-tank fire was also involved in the incident.

A native of Daliat el-Carmel and a member of the Druze community, Daksa was highly respected as one of the IDF’s leading field commanders. Throughout his career, he held various command positions in armored units and had significant strategic responsibilities in the IDF’s Northern Command.

In response to the incident, the IDF announced that the situation at the scene is now under operational control, with Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, commander of the 162nd Division, taking personal command of ground operations.

Since the conflict began on October 7, five Israeli colonels have been reported killed in the ongoing fighting.