The IDF announced on Friday that four Israeli soldiers were killed and another wounded in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, when a bomb detonated, causing a building to collapse on the troops clearing the area. The incident occurred around 6 a.m., the IDF spokesperson confirmed.
Five additional soldiers were wounded, one seriously and the rest moderately. The names of the two additional soldiers have not yet been cleared for publication and will be published later. Their families have been notified.
Warrant Officer, (Warr. Ofc.) Chen Gross, and Staff Sergeant (St.-Sgt.) Yoav Raver were named as two of the four wounded.
The army is using various methods to counter Hamas’s regular use of explosives, IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin stated.
When asked why soldiers are sent into buildings instead of using airstrikes, Defrin responded that sometimes it's necessary to investigate tunnel routes or other terror infrastructure—though he could not elaborate further.
Warr. Ofc. Gross, 33, from Gan Yoshiya, served as a reserve soldier in the Maglan Unit, Commando Brigade.
St.-Sgt. Raver, 19, from Sde Warburg, served in the IDF’s elite Yahalom unit.
The Drom Hasharon Regional Council expressed deep sorrow and extended condolences to Raver's family.
The IDF held a security assessment this morning at the Southern Command, where senior officials, including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, reviewed and approved ongoing operational plans in Gaza. A preliminary investigation into the deadly incident was also presented. While no specific findings were disclosed, IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin emphasized that lessons will be learned.
הרמטכ״ל קיים הערכת מצב ואישור תוכניות להמשך המערכה בפיקוד הדרוםהרמטכ״ל, רב-אלוף אייל זמיר, מפקד פיקוד הדרום, אלוף יניב עשור ואלופי פורום המטה הכללי קיימו היום הערכת מצב ואישור תוכניות מבצעיות בפיקוד הדרום, להמשך המערכה ברצועת עזה.כמו כן, הוצג לרמטכ״ל תחקיר ראשוני על אירוע… pic.twitter.com/TYYjNPkSIu
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 6, 2025
IDF’s efforts to destroy terror infrastructure
A reserve officer in the Maglan Unit, Commando Brigade, was severely wounded in the incident, has been evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment, and his family has been notified.
The operation took place as part of the IDF’s efforts to destroy terror infrastructure in the area, aiming to establish continuous control. The building that the force entered is situated above a tunnel system, so it was necessary to enter and investigate it, Walla reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "This is a sad and difficult day. On behalf of all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I send our deepest condolences to the families of our four heroic fighters who fell in Gaza in the campaign to defeat Hamas and return our hostages."
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in an X/Twitter post: "There are no words that can comfort the magnitude of the loss. I wish a full and speedy recovery to the fighters who were injured in the difficult incident – and I strengthen the hands of our heroic fighters who are acting with strength and determination against a cruel enemy, for the security of our citizens and for the release of the kidnapped."
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that "the cost of war is extremely heavy. This is a time of great sorrow – but also of great commitment: to stand behind the generation of heroic warriors, to embrace the families of the fallen, and to ensure that their names and heroism are never forgotten. An entire nation is overwhelmed with grief. We will never forget the sacrifice and heroism of the fallen, the wounded, and the wonderful bereaved families. May their memory be blessed."
"Painful news about the fall of four fighters, our good sons in the northern Gaza Strip. Every Shabbat table in Israel will be quieter and sadder tonight. I send my condolences to the families of Yoav Raver and Chen Gross, the heroes of Israel who fell in the incident in Gaza, and my wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured," Opposition Leader Yair Lapid declared.
Following the killing of the soldiers, Naftali Bennett also stated, "Shabbat is about to begin, and now the news has reached four more families whose worlds have been turned upside down. The people of Israel grieve with you, and surround you with all their love. The boys fell in action in the heart of Khan Yunis against Hamas murderers. How sad. How painful."
Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir added: "Sending deepest condolences and a big hug to their dear families and friends, and praying together with all the people of Israel for the recovery of the wounded."
