The IDF Spokesperson's Unit cleared for publication on Wednesday morning that seven soldiers fell during combat in southern Gaza:
- Lieutenant Matan Shai Yashinovski, aged 21, from Kfar Yona, a Platoon Commander in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Staff Sergeant Ronel Ben-Moshe, aged 20, from Rehovot, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Staff Sergeant Niv Radia, aged 20, from Elyakhin, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Sergeant Ronen Shapiro, aged 19, from Mazkeret Batya, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Sergeant Shahar Manoav, aged 21, from Ashkelon, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Sergeant Maayan Baruch Pearlstein, aged 20, from Eshhar, a soldier in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.
- Staff Sergeant Alon Davidov, aged 21 from Kiryat Yam, served as a combat medic in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.
A preliminary IDF investigation indicates that a terrorist attached an explosive device to the armored personnel carrier carrying the soldiers. The device detonated, causing the vehicle to catch fire, and all the soldiers inside were killed.
During an additional incident, a soldier in the 605th Battalion of the 188th Brigade was severely injured on Tuesday during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.
The soldier was evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment, and his family has been notified.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned: "This is a very difficult day for the people of Israel. Together with all citizens of Israel, my wife and I mourn, and are pained over, the fall of seven of our fighters, of blessed memory, from the Combat Engineering Battalion: Lt. Matan Shai Yashinovski, Staff Sgt. Alon Davidov, Staff Sgt. Niv Radia, Staff Sgt. Ronel Ben-Moshe, Sgt. Ronen Shapiro, Sgt. Shahar Manoav and Sgt. Maayan Baruch Pearlstein."
"Our heroic fighters fell in the battle to defeat Hamas and for the release of our hostages in the southern Gaza Strip. On behalf of myself and the citizens of Israel, I send heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost what is dearest to them, and share in their unbearable sorrow at this difficult hour. May the memory of our fighters be blessed forever."