Image Credentials: Image Title: Seven IDF Soldiers Killed in Khan Yunis Blast After IED Attached to Armored Vehicle Source: (sora.chatgpt) Date: June 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (sora.chatgpt), it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
GAZA STRIP — In one of the deadliest single incidents for Israeli forces in recent weeks, seven IDF soldiers from the Combat Engineering Corps were killed on Tuesday evening after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated under their “Puma” armored personnel carrier (APC) in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza. The Israeli military confirmed the fatalities on Wednesday.
The fallen soldiers were all members of the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion, part of the 188th Armored Brigade. They were identified as:
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Lieutenant Matan Shai Yashinovski, 21, from Kfar Yona
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Staff Sergeant Ronel Ben-Moshe, 20, from Rehovot
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Staff Sergeant Niv Radia, 20, from Elyakhin
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Staff Sergeant Alon Davidov, 21, from Kiryat Yam
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Sergeant Ronen Shapiro, 19, from Mazkeret Batya
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Sergeant Shahar Manoav, 21, from Ashkelon
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Sergeant Maayan Baruch Pearlstein, 20, from Eshhar
Details of the Incident
The explosion occurred around 6:30 p.m., according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). A preliminary investigation suggests that a Hamas militant was able to attach an IED to the Puma APC. The blast not only destroyed the vehicle but also resulted in a large fire, requiring firefighting teams to respond.
A D9 bulldozer was deployed to extinguish the flames by covering the wrecked vehicle with sand, after which the APC was extracted from Gaza back into Israeli territory.
The IDF has not yet explained why the older Puma vehicle, dating back several decades, was being used by frontline engineering troops when newer and better-armored platforms like the Namer APC are available and in active use by other engineering battalions operating in the same sector.
National Mourning and Questions
The incident sparked immediate expressions of grief from the nation’s top defense officials. Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement acknowledging the sacrifice of the soldiers:
“Our soldiers fought bravely and fell during their mission to defend the State of Israel and return our hostages. I send my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and embrace them on behalf of the entire nation in their most difficult time. May their memory be blessed.”
The attack marks a tragic moment for the IDF in its ongoing operations in Gaza, and it raises renewed scrutiny over the operational equipment provided to frontline troops in high-risk environments.
Additional Clashes in Khan Yunis
Only hours earlier, at 4:25 p.m., a separate incident took place in Khan Yunis involving soldiers from the same 605th Battalion, who were operating alongside the 51st Battalion’s combat team. In that clash, IDF forces came under anti-tank fire, injuring two soldiers, one seriously and one lightly.
While not directly connected to the later fatal blast, the earlier incident underscores the ongoing volatility and danger Israeli troops face in Khan Yunis, a city long considered a Hamas stronghold in the southern Gaza Strip.
Background: Khan Yunis and the 605th Battalion
The 605th Combat Engineering Battalion is tasked with clearing explosives, opening routes, and providing armored support in urban and hostile terrain. Their operations are critical to maintaining safe passage for infantry and armored units. Khan Yunis, meanwhile, has been the epicenter of intensified military activity, as Israeli forces continue to press operations in areas believed to contain underground Hamas infrastructure and remaining militants.
Tuesday’s incident is one of the deadliest single-day losses for the IDF in recent months, and it may further fuel debate within military and political circles regarding equipment adequacy, tactical planning, and the prolonged nature of operations in Gaza.
A Nation Grieves
Across Israel, flags flew at half-mast as communities prepared for the funerals of the young men who lost their lives. Tributes poured in on social media, with citizens and leaders alike hailing their bravery and sacrifice.
As the military reviews the circumstances of this tragedy, questions linger about what could have been done differently and whether more lives can be saved as the conflict continues.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.