The Incident Details
The incident occurred during an operation by the 188th Brigade’s combat team at the Khan Younis camp, according to a report by Itay Blumental. The soldiers of Battalion 605 were engaged in scanning terrorist targets, destroying tunnel shafts, and clearing the area using heavy engineering equipment.
In the afternoon hours, the battalion’s Puma APC was hit by a powerful explosive device attached by a terrorist. The blast caused the vehicle to catch fire. Soldiers nearby attempted to extinguish the flames but were unsuccessful. Only after several long minutes did a D9 bulldozer arrive and pour sand over the vehicle, as per IDF protocol, until the fire was put out.
The Puma APC was then towed to the border fence, where medics sadly pronounced the deaths of the seven soldiers inside. The identification process took many hours. Once completed, the families of the fallen were notified.
About an hour earlier, another engineering force from the battalion was struck by a direct RPG hit on a D9 bulldozer. One soldier was seriously wounded, and another sustained light injuries.
In a separate battle yesterday in southern Gaza, another soldier from the battalion was seriously injured and evacuated to a hospital. His family has been informed.
The Fallen:
Lt. Matan Shay Yashinovsky
Lt. Matan Shay Yashinovsky, 21, from Kfar Yona, served as a platoon commander in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the Barak (188) Formation.
In its eulogy, the Kfar Yona municipality stated: “He was a beloved son, loyal friend, and brave warrior. We will never forget Matan — his smile, his values, and his deep love for the land. We share in his family’s profound sorrow and will always stand by their side.”
Sgt. Alon Davidov
Sgt. Alon Davidov, 21, from Kiryat Yam, was a combat medic in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the Barak (188) Formation.
Member of the Kiryat Yam city council Guy Polonsky eulogized him: “Alon was a fighter at heart, a devoted son, a beloved friend. A child of Kiryat Yam. The entire city holds its breath in deep sorrow.”
Sgt. Ronael Ben-Moshe
Sgt. Ronael Ben-Moshe, 20, from Rehovot, served in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the Barak (188) Formation. He was the eldest sibling in his family. He studied at Noam Elementary School and later at the Hadarom Yeshiva. In the army, he was known as a dedicated and beloved soldier, driven by a strong sense of mission. Alongside his studies, he served as a respected counselor in the Ezra religious Zionist youth movement in the city, leaving a lasting impact on dozens of his mentees.
He is survived by his parents, Revital and Moshe, and five siblings.
His funeral will take place today at 16:00 at the Rehovot military cemetery.
“I call on the city’s residents to come with Israeli flags and pay their final respects along the route to the cemetery, at the junction of Menachem Begin and Gorodisky streets,” wrote Rehovot Mayor Matan Dil.
Sgt. Niv Radia
Sgt. Niv Radia, 20, from Elyakhin, served in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the Barak (188) Formation. He was the eldest son in his family. Elyakhin Council Head Azuri Sharoni wrote: “As a teenager, Niv dreamed of meaningful army service and dedicated himself to combat fitness training in preparation for enlistment. We will all remember Niv for his smile, his laughter, and how he made everyone laugh.”
He is survived by his parents, Eyal and Alexandra, and two siblings, Alin and Yuval.
His funeral will be held today at 17:30 in the military section of the Elyakhin cemetery.
Cpl. Ronen Shapiro
Cpl. Ronen Shapiro, 19, from Mazkeret Batya, served in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the Barak (188) Formation.
Residents of Mazkeret Batya described him as “a good, gentle, and sensitive young man.”
Cpl. Shachar Manoav
Cpl. Shachar Manoav, 21, from Ashkelon, served in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the Barak (188) Formation. Shahar graduated from Makif B High School in Ashkelon and was a member of the HaShomer HaTzair youth movement.
“He was a sweet and smiling participant and a significant part of the group,” they wrote.
“It’s hard to describe him in words or speak of him in the past tense, because he really was the group’s best friend, the sweetest member, a boy with a powerful personality that you couldn’t miss,” wrote Ron Merkas, former coordinator from the youth movement.
“You were always ready to help, always volunteered, took part in everything you could, loved coming to the branch and meeting the counselors and the group. The girls in your group loved you so much they wouldn’t begin an activity without you. Every counselor who met you fell in love,” she added.
Shachar is survived by his parents, two brothers, and a sister.
His funeral will take place today at 15:00 in the military section of the Ashkelon cemetery.
Cpl. Maayan Baruch Perlstein
Cpl. Maayan Baruch Perlstein, 20, from the communal town of Eshhar, served in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the Barak (188) Formation. His mother Osnat told Radio 103 that his middle name, Baruch, was in memory of his grandfather who passed away at a young age.
“Maayan was sweeter than honey, a very sweet boy beloved by his friends. He loved the good life. He didn’t make a fuss about death — he said, ‘Worst case, I’ll die. It’s not such a big deal,’” she recounted.
“May their memory be a blessing”
Prime Minister Netanyahu posted:
“This is a very difficult day for the people of Israel. Together with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I mourn and grieve the fall of seven of our fighters from the Combat Engineering Battalion. May their memory be a blessing.
Lt. Matan Shay Yashinovsky, Sgt. Alon Davidov, Sgt. Niv Redia, Sgt. Ronel Ben-Moshe, Cpl. Ronen Shapiro, Cpl. Shahar Manoav, and Cpl. Maayan Baruch Perlstein. Our heroic soldiers fell in battle to defeat Hamas and free our hostages in southern Gaza.
On my behalf and on behalf of the citizens of Israel, I extend heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost what is dearest to them, and I share in their overwhelming sorrow during this painful hour.
May the memory of our fallen soldiers be blessed and eternally preserved”.
Israel Defense Minister Katz also posted his condolences:
“Our soldiers fought with courage and fell in the line of duty, defending the State of Israel and working to bring our hostages home. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and embrace them on behalf of an entire nation in their most difficult hour. May their memory be a blessing”.
