Maariv

May 13, 2004, the Philadelphi Route. A place branded as “Hell” by IDF soldiers serving in the area. Israeli troops, from the squad commander’s course, searching for the remains of fellow IDF soldiers, after their armored personnel carrier (APC) was blown up the day before: Capt. Aviv Hakani, 23, of Ashdod; Sgt. Lior Vishinsky, 20, of Ramat Gan; Sgt. Za’ur Smelev, 19, of Ofakim; Sgt.-Maj. Aiman Ghadir, 24, of Mdir al-Makhsur; Cpl. Elad Cohen, 20, Jerusalem. The soldiers’ remains and parts of their APC were scattered as far as 500 meters and Israel turned to Egypt for assistance in locating any human remains that had reached their territory. From an investigation into the incident, it was discovered that the APC was carrying more than 100 kilograms of explosives. In the months that have followed since this incident, lives are continuingly being lost on the Philadelphi Route. First Sgt.-Maj. Moshe Elimelech, 35, of Dimona was recently killed along the route by an explosive device, and in a separate incident two IDF soldiers were injured when an anti-tank missile hit the armored vehicle they were traveling in.

Philadelphi Route

May 13, 2004