Israeli Defense Ministry Contractor Killed in Northern Gaza Blast

David Libi, a 19-year-old civilian contractor working for a company contracted by the Israeli Defense Ministry, was killed in an explosion caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) while operating engineering equipment in northern Gaza. Libi, from the West Bank settlement outpost of Malachei Hashalom, was involved in destroying underground Hamas infrastructure as part of the IDF's ongoing operations. His death marks the third case of a Defense Ministry contractor killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict, with previous fatalities including Liron Yitzhak and Yaakov Avitan. The Binyamin Regional Council praised Libi for his dedication and sacrifice, acknowledging the significant role he played in the mission against terrorist targets. The British government recently sanctioned Libi's family business, Libi Construction and Infrastructure Ltd., for alleged support of illegal outposts. The IDF and Defense Ministry have extended condolences to Libi's family, emphasizing the risks faced by both military personnel and civilian contractors in the conflict.