‘Flowers plucked while defending our people’ – 7 Israeli soldiers killed in IED attack in Gaza Strip

Seven soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces were killed in an IED explosion on an armored personnel carrier in Khan Younis, according to a report released on Wednesday morning.

The incident, which happened Tuesday evening, took place when a terrorist approached the “Puma” armored personnel carrier transporting IDF soldiers and attached an explosive device to the vehicle.

After the IED detonated, the APC caught fire and IDF firefighters were unable to extinguish the blaze in the field of combat. A D9 combat bulldozer was used to cover the vehicle with sand, but that also failed to extinguish the fire. 

The APC was then towed out of the Gaza Strip, however, by the time the vehicle was brought into Israeli territory, the soldiers were all deceased.

The “Puma” is an older model armored personnel carrier, and it remains unclear why it was deployed in a combat zone instead of the newer “Namer” APC, which serves as the primary vehicle for the Combat Engineering Corps and is currently operated by two battalions.

Defense Minister Yisrael Katz expressed his sorrow over the fall of the seven fighters in a post on 𝕏. 

“Our fighters fought with bravery and fell while fulfilling their mission to defend the State of Israel and to bring back our hostages," he wrote. "I send my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and embrace them on behalf of an entire nation in their most difficult hour.” 

Israeli President Isaac Herzog wrote, “A very painful morning upon learning of the fall of dear and beloved sons in battle in Khan Younis. Seven flowers plucked while defending our people and homeland.” 

“The arena in Gaza is tough, the battles are fierce, and the burden is heavier than can be borne. We bow our heads and embrace with pain and tears the bereaved and grieving families. We are all with you – in sorrow, in embrace, and in tears. We will pray for the recovery of the wounded fighters and strengthen all IDF soldiers and their commanders who carry on their shoulders the defense of all our lives.” 

Later on Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement mourning the seven soldiers.

"This is a very difficult day for the people of Israel," Netanyahu said. "Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I mourn and grieve the loss of seven of our soldiers in the Combat Engineering Battalion, may their memory be blessed."

"Our heroic soldiers fell in the battle to defeat Hamas and free our hostages in the southern Gaza Strip," the prime minister continued. "On my behalf and on behalf of the citizens of Israel, I send my deepest condolences to the families who lost their dearest, and I share with them their unbearable grief at this difficult time."

"May the memory of our soldiers be blessed and may we be forever protected."

The fallen soldiers were identified on Wednesday morning Lt. Matan Shai Yashinovski (21) from Kfar Yona; Staff Sgt. Ronel Ben-Moshe (20) from Rehovot; Staff Sgt. Niv Radia (20) from Elyakhin; Sgt. Ronen Shapiro (19) from Mazkeret Batya; Sgt. Shahar Manoav (21) from Ashkelon; Sgt. Maayan Baruch Pearlstein (20) from Eshhar; and Staff Sgt. Alon Davidov (21) from Kiryat Yam. 

All of the soldiers were part of the 605th “HaMahatz" Combat Engineering Battalion, operating under the 188th “Barak” Armored Brigade. 

According to a report in Ynet News, the mother of Maayan Baruch Pearlstein said her son and his fellow soldiers had voiced concerns about their safety in the older “Puma” vehicle, citing its outdated protective armor.

In an interview with Ynet, she said, "There was some kind of Zoom call with the new battalion commander and we talked to him about the need to replace the outdated APCs, and he said they were working on it."

Additionally, in a separate incident during fighting in Khan Younis, two other soldiers of the 605th Battalion were injured by RPG fire. One of the soldiers was evacuated with severe injuries, and another was reported to have light injuries. 

Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, is regarded as one of the Hamas terror group's key strongholds, having produced many of the group’s top leaders. Among them are brothers Yahya and Mohammed Sinwar, both natives of the town.

Despite the conflict with Iran, which ended in a ceasefire early on Tuesday morning, the IDF has been continuously operating in the Gaza Strip since the start of Operation "Gideon’s Chariots" on May 16.

Though less intense than the ground offensive launched in late 2023, the military continues to operate in a steady, gradual manner, aiming to take and holding territory, rather than relying on limited raids into Hamas-controlled territory.

The 36th Armored Division is presently active in the Khan Younis region, where it is reportedly targeting terrorist infrastructure and working to identify and dismantle Hamas’ underground network with the support of Combat Engineering Battalions.