New details have emerged about one of the gravest incidents in Gaza since the resumption of combat, in which four IDF soldiers were killed when a booby-trapped building collapsed during a clearing operation in Khan Younis—part of a larger assault conducted by Division 98.
According to the initial investigation, the IDF force hit by an explosive on Friday morning in Khan Younis had entered a building that had been rigged to blow. The structure had been marked on IDF maps as potentially hazardous. The soldiers proceeded with caution and identified an object resembling a barrel. Their assessment was that this was the explosive device.
The force followed procedure
The barrel was located on either the first or second floor of the multi-story building. The team followed standard operating procedures and believed they had neutralized the device. However, it appears Hamas had planted the actual explosives on a higher floor—possibly using a more sophisticated method.
It remains unclear whether the barrel was deliberately placed on a lower floor to mislead the troops.
Collapse of the building
The explosion caused the entire building to collapse on the soldiers inside. As a result, four IDF fighters were killed:
Sergeant Major Hen Gross, Staff Sergeant Yoav Raver, Sergeant Major Tom Rotstein, and Staff Sergeant Uri Yehonatan Cohen—may their memories be a blessing.
Five other soldiers were wounded—one seriously, and four moderately. The rescue of the troops from the rubble took many hours and was carried out under the threat of additional explosives.
Hamas Exploited the Ceasefire
This tragedy highlights the tremendous challenges our forces face inside Gaza. The Hamas terror organization took advantage of the ceasefire to rig numerous buildings with explosives intended to harm our troops.
Extra Caution Ordered
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir instructed forces to advance cautiously and slowly, in order to minimize casualties and avoid unnecessary soldier deaths or harm to the hostages.
