In a devastating blow to Israeli forces, seven IDF soldiers were killed when their armored vehicle was struck by an explosive device in southern Gaza, marking one of the deadliest incidents in months as Israel continues its fight against Hamas terrorists.
The tragic incident occurred in Khan Younis when a bomb planted on an armored combat engineering vehicle exploded, killing all soldiers inside as the vehicle burst into flames. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed deep condolences to the families, calling the fallen soldiers “heroes” in Israel’s ongoing battle to defeat Hamas and free hostages. With this latest loss, the total number of Israeli soldiers killed since October 7, 2023, has risen to 879, highlighting the heavy price Israel continues to pay in its fight against terrorism while liberal media outlets promote questionable Palestinian casualty figures.
Deadly Explosion Claims Seven Israeli Soldiers
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed Wednesday that seven soldiers were killed during combat operations in southern Gaza after an explosive device struck their armored vehicle. The blast occurred in Khan Younis when terrorists planted a bomb that detonated as the combat engineering vehicle passed over it.
The explosion was so powerful that it set the vehicle ablaze, trapping the soldiers inside with no chance of escape. Israeli army spokesperson Effie Defrin reported that rescue forces and helicopters were dispatched to the scene but were unable to extract the soldiers in time.
The fallen heroes were identified as members of the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion, ‘Barak’ Formation of the IDF. Their names were released as Matan Shai Yashinovski, Ronel Ben-Moshe, Niv Radia, Ronen Shapiro, Shahar Manoav, Maayan Baruch Pearlstein, and Alon Davidov.
The timing of this tragedy is particularly significant as it comes despite recent diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions following Israel’s limited strikes against Iran. The incident demonstrates that while world attention shifts to broader Middle East conflicts, Israeli soldiers continue fighting a deadly ground war against Hamas terrorists who remain committed to Israel’s destruction.
Netanyahu Honors Fallen Heroes as Hostage Crisis Continues
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, stating, “Heroic soldiers fell in the battle to defeat Hamas and free our hostages in the southern Gaza Strip.” His comments underscore Israel’s unwavering commitment to dismantling Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure while working to bring home the remaining hostages.
The tragedy comes as the IDF and Israel’s Shin Bet successfully recovered the bodies of three Israeli hostages from Gaza who were killed during Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack. Among those recovered were IDF soldier Shay Levinson, 19, and civilians Ofra Keidar, 71, and Yonatan Samerano, 21.
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Of the 251 individuals kidnapped from Israel during the October 7 massacre, 50 remain in captivity with only 20 believed to be alive. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called for extending the ceasefire between Israel and Iran to include the war in Gaza, hoping to secure the release of remaining hostages.
The recovery of these bodies serves as a grim reminder of Hamas’ brutality and the importance of Israel’s military operations, despite the heavy toll they take on IDF forces. Each loss strengthens Israel’s resolve to eliminate the terrorist threat on its border while honoring the sacrifice of those who have fallen.
Trump Suggests US Strikes May Help Gaza Ceasefire Efforts
Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation, suggesting that recent US strikes on Iran could actually aid in Gaza ceasefire negotiations. His comments reflect his consistent support for Israel and strategic approach to Middle East peace that contrasts sharply with the Biden administration’s policies.
Trump stated, “I think great progress is being made on Gaza. Because of the attack that we made, I think we’re going to have some very good news. I think that it helped a little bit, it showed a lot of power.”
“Heroic soldiers fell in the battle to defeat Hamas and free our hostages in the southern Gaza Strip” – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
This assessment from the former president aligns with his previous diplomatic successes in the region, including the Abraham Accords, which brought unprecedented peace agreements between Israel and multiple Arab nations. Trump’s statement suggests that showing strength against Iran could pressure Hamas to engage more seriously in hostage negotiations.
Trump’s perspective offers hope that decisive military action against terrorist supporters like Iran might create leverage for diplomatic breakthroughs, potentially bringing an end to the conflict while ensuring Israel’s security needs are met. This stands in stark contrast to the Biden administration’s approach of pressuring Israel while terrorist entities continue their attacks.
Questions Surround Casualty Reporting and Media Coverage
While Israeli military casualties are meticulously documented and verified, questions continue to surround casualty reporting from Gaza. An independent study by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested death tolls in Gaza have been potentially inflated, raising concerns about the reliability of figures provided by the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The study estimated 64,260 traumatic injury deaths in Gaza from October 7, 2023, to June 30, 2024, a figure that has been questioned by military experts who point out the lack of independent verification. Critics note that Hamas has a documented history of inflating casualty numbers and counting terrorists among civilian death tolls to generate international sympathy.
— Brian BJ (@iamBrianBJ) May 20, 2025
While mainstream media outlets routinely report Palestinian casualty figures without scrutiny, the verified deaths of Israeli soldiers like those killed in this incident receive comparatively less attention. This latest tragedy serves as a reminder of the real human cost Israel bears in its fight against terrorism and its efforts to protect civilians on both sides.
As Israel continues its mission to eliminate the terrorist threat from Hamas, the sacrifice of these seven soldiers underscores the difficult challenge facing the Jewish state: balancing the imperative to protect its citizens while minimizing casualties in a conflict zone where terrorists deliberately embed themselves among civilian populations. Their deaths remind Americans of the importance of standing with our closest Middle East ally in its fight against radical Islamic terrorism.
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Israel says 7 soldiers killed after armoured vehicle hit explosive in Gaza
7 IDF soldiers killed in southern Gaza Strip in ‘one of the deadliest’ incidents in months