An Israel Air Force pilot was killed on Wednesday while attempting to eject from his F–16 following a strike on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

Maj. Ohad Cohen Nov, 34, had just finished a bombing run in response to terrorist rocket fire on southern Israel when an apparent malfunction forced Nov and his navigator to eject just seconds before landing.

The navigator successfully ejected and suffered what were described as light injuries. Nov was not so fortunate, and leaves behind a pregnant wife and a young daughter.

Military officials said it was still not entirely clear what caused Nov and his navigator to eject, nor why the pilot was unable to successfully escape the apparently malfunctioning aircraft.