Seven Israeli combat engineers were killed in one of the deadliest attacks on Israeli ground forces in recent months, after a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated against their armored personnel carrier (APC) in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) cleared for publication Wednesday the identities of six of the fallen soldiers, all aged between 19 and 21, following family notifications. The soldiers were part of the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion operating under the Barak Division (188). One of the victims held an officer’s rank.
Also Read: Netanyahu: Israel Not Seeking Regime Change in Iran
The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. while the unit was engaged in engineering operations, clearing terrain for troop movement. According to initial reports, a Palestinian militant managed to attach an explosive device directly to the APC, triggering a devastating explosion that completely engulfed the vehicle in flames.
Emergency response teams, including a D-9 armored bulldozer, arrived swiftly to extinguish the blaze by pouring sand onto the vehicle. The APC, still smoldering, was towed back into Israeli territory where the soldiers’ bodies were recovered and forensic testing began.
One soldier’s identity remains withheld pending completion of formal notification procedures by the military. The IDF is expected to launch a full investigation into the incident as questions arise over operational security and potential vulnerabilities.
