The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has reported the deaths of three soldiers during operations in Gaza.

Staff Sergeants Lior Steinberg, Ofek Barhana, and Omer Van Gelder, all members of the Givati Brigade, an IDF infantry unit, were killed in action. The IDF stated that Steinberg and Barhana served as combat medics, while Van Gelder was a squad commander.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed his condolences, writing in Hebrew that he and his wife, Sara, extend their “heartfelt condolences to the families of our heroic fighters.”

IDF international spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani also expressed his sympathy in a post on X, listing the soldiers’ names and ages. All three were in their early 20s.

Reports indicate that the three soldiers were among five in a Humvee in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, when an explosive device struck their vehicle, according to an IDF probe cited by the outlet. The other two soldiers in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries.

The Times of Israel reports that the Humvee was escorting an IDF fire engine dispatched to Gaza to extinguish a burning armored personnel carrier. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. The convoy was hit by multiple explosive devices en route, according to the Times of Israel.

The conflict in Gaza has continued for over 600 days since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Fifty-eight hostages remain in Gaza, with 23 believed to be alive, and 35 confirmed dead with their bodies still held. To date, 148 living hostages and the remains of 48 hostages have been returned to Israel. Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage held by Hamas, was returned to Israel on May 12.