Deadly Hamas tunnel attack highlights growing IED threat in Gaza; Two IDF soldiers killed

The IDF cleared for publication Sunday morning that two IDF soldiers from the Golani Reconnaissance Unit were killed in the Gaza Strip: Captain Amir Saad, 22, from Yanuh-Jat, a technology and maintenance officer, and Sergeant Yinon Nuriel Vana, 20, from Kiryat Tivon, a technology and maintenance fighter. Another officer from the Golani Reconnaissance Unit was moderately wounded.

The incident occurred yesterday around 6:30 p.m. in the Al-Abasan neighborhood in eastern Khan Younis. Terrorists, who apparently emerged from a tunnel shaft, managed to get very close to a Namer armored personnel carrier (based on the Merkava chassis) and attach an explosive device. The force of the blast killed the two soldiers, who had entered Gaza to service military vehicles.

During the same incident, the terrorists threw another explosive device at a second Namer APC carrying soldiers and officers from the Golani Recon Unit. However, that device failed to detonate, and no one was hurt. According to a report by Kan Reshet Bet, the Golani Reconnaissance Battalion Commander was inside that second APC. A preliminary investigation indicates that his unit spotted the terrorist and opened fire.

Ra’ad, a cousin of Captain Amir Saad, spoke about him in an interview with the Kalman-Liberman show on Reshet Bet: “He was a brilliant kid, a real standout. Still in his mandatory service. His father is an upstanding man; the whole family is remarkable. Amir wanted to advance in the army – our whole family serves in security roles.”

“Two days ago, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant,” Ra’ad said. “He loved the army and loved working for the army. Yesterday we received the terrible news. Just on Thursday, I sent him a message congratulating him on the promotion.” Captain Amir Saad’s funeral is scheduled to take place today at 17:00.

Sergeant Yinon Nuriel Vana’s mother, Nava, posted a heart-wrenching message on Facebook after receiving the devastating news: “For two days now, I’ve known deep inside that you were coming to me. Preparing myself for the worst – how will I cope, what will I do. For two days I knew, but I suppressed it. But nothing prepares a mother for a knock at the door.”

“My little Yinon, beloved of the whole world, I’m crying for you now, and I’m sorry I didn’t hug you enough the last time. A knock at the door… We won’t let go, we’re here for you. And I’m disappearing into the abyss. From here, I have to climb out. It is with deep sorrow that we announce our joining of the bereaved families. Our Yinon is gone.”

Aharon Nohi, a family friend, shared his memories of Yinon in an interview with the This Morning program on Reshet Bet: “He was the best kid in the world. I’ve known him since he was a small, shy child. He was always modest, incredibly talented, but never boasted. He played bass guitar, was self-taught, a gifted and humble boy.”

The IDF has maintained operational control of the Al-Abasan neighborhood for several months. Nonetheless, terrorists managed to emerge from destroyed buildings and tunnel shafts to carry out a coordinated and planned attack on two armored vehicles simultaneously.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and anti-tank fire have become the primary threats to IDF forces in recent weeks, as part of Hamas’s guerrilla warfare tactics. These tactics exploit vulnerabilities in IDF operations in Gaza and have led to significant losses.

Last night, the IDF also cleared for publication that Master Sergeant (Res.) Bezalel Yehoshua from Sde Boker died from wounds sustained last week in southern Gaza. He was injured in an incident alongside a reserve combat engineering officer, after their Humvee ran over an IED.

Master Sergeant (Res.) Vladimir Luza, 36, from Ashkelon, a soldier in the 5th Brigade, was killed in battle in Rafah last week. He was laid to rest in the Ashkelon Military Cemetery, with a large crowd attending to pay their final respects.

Written by KAN 11 correspondents Itay Blumenthal, Carmela Menashe and Roi Sharon.