An Israeli soldier was killed and nearly abducted in the southern Gaza Strip earlier today, the military announces.

The name of the slain soldier is not immediately released for publication. The IDF says he will be named later.

According to an IDF probe, several Hamas gunmen emerged from a tunnel and attacked Israeli forces in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis.

During the attack, the operatives attempted to abduct the slain soldier, who had been operating an excavator.

The IDF says the soldier “struggled with them and the terrorists shot and killed him.”

Israeli forces guarding the area opened fire on the operatives, hitting several of them, preventing the abduction attempt, the military adds.

The IDF says the incident is under further investigation.