Two IDF soldiers were killed in an Air Force 'Owl' helicopter crash near the Philadelphia Highway in Rafah, during a landing - as part of a mission to evacuate a seriously injured soldier.
The helicopter hit the ground, inside a greenhouse, for an unclear reason.
An initial investigation indicates that the crash was not caused by enemy fire.
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The cause of the crash is still being investigated. The IDF stated that there has been no change in the operational activity of the Air Force.
Seven additional fighters were injured in various ways in the incident, who were evacuated to receive medical treatment at a hospital and their families were notified.
Among the seriously injured is an engineering fighter who was supposed to be rescued by the helicopter crew, after he was apparently shot by a Hamas sniper.
Four additional Air Force helicopters participated in evacuating the wounded from the scene.
Following the incident, Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar appointed a military investigation committee to examine the circumstances of the incident. Members of the committee arrived at the scene between Rafah and Philadelphia early this morning to collect initial findings from the damaged helicopter.
The son of one of the injured, a mechanic on duty, told Reshet B: "He said he heard the pilots say it was going to happen, that it would be difficult to land, so they did a go-around to land again. Then it crashed. It happened in seconds.".
According to the injured man's son, "The helicopter fell on its left side and he was on the right side, luckily. He says he was next to the other airborne mechanic. They were both holding hands. He was completely under the helicopter except for his head. He couldn't move, nothing, until they rescued him.".
The father of one of the wounded fighters to whom the helicopter was sent, a resident of Or Haner, said: "He's been in the reserves since 7 and has already done several rounds. He's fine, conscious. We managed to see him.".
