Gaza City – June 5, 2025:
Seven soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were killed on Tuesday evening when an explosion struck their armored vehicle in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. The blast, reportedly caused by a device planted by Palestinian militants, targeted a “Puma” armored personnel carrier (APC) belonging to the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the IDF’s 188th Brigade.
The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. during an ongoing military operation in the area. A preliminary investigation revealed that a militant was able to approach the vehicle and attach an explosive device, resulting in the deadly blast. The APC caught fire, prompting immediate firefighting efforts and the use of a D9 military bulldozer to cover the burning vehicle with sand before extracting it back into Israeli territory.
Among those killed were Lieutenant Matan Shai Yashinovski (21), Staff Sergeant Ronel Ben-Moshe (20), Staff Sergeant Niv Radia (20), Staff Sergeant Alon Davidov (21), Sergeant Ronen Shapiro (19), Sergeant Shahar Manoav (21), and Sergeant Maayan Baruch Pearlstein (20). All hailed from various Israeli towns and were members of the elite 605th Combat Engineering Battalion.
This latest loss has raised questions within Israeli defense circles, particularly regarding the continued use of the outdated Puma APC by the 605th Battalion, despite the availability of the newer, more protected ‘Namera’ armored vehicles already deployed by parallel units in Gaza.
Defense Minister Israel Katz expressed his grief, stating: “Our brave soldiers fell while protecting the State of Israel and working to bring our hostages home. We mourn alongside their families and honor their sacrifice.”
Earlier on the same day, another confrontation took place at 4:25 p.m. in Khan Yunis between IDF soldiers and Hamas fighters. That incident involved anti-tank fire on the 605th Battalion, which was operating as part of the 51st Battalion’s combat team. Two Israeli soldiers were injured—one seriously and the other lightly.
As the Gaza conflict continues, these incidents mark a grim reminder of the growing toll on both sides, with further escalation remaining a serious concern.
