Dim Amor

The names of seven IDF soldiers who fell in recent days in battles in the Gaza Strip and from an Iranian missile strike were cleared for publication this morning (Wednesday). The IDF Spokesperson published at 05:58 the names of six of the fallen, all fighters from the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the "Barak" Formation, and in a separate announcement reported the death of another soldier from the Multi-Dimensional Unit.

The six fallen from the combat engineering battalion were killed in a single incident in southern Gaza Strip. They are: Lieutenant Matan Shai Yeshinovsky, 21, from Kfar Yona, who served as a platoon commander; Master Sergeant Ronal Ben-Moshe, 20, from Rehovot; Master Sergeant Niv Radia, 20, from Elyakim; Sergeant Ronen Shapiro, 19, from Mazkeret Batya; Sergeant Shachar Manuav, 21, from Ashkelon; and Sergeant Mayan Baruch Perlstein, 20, from Ashahar.

The IDF reported that in the incident in which the six fighters fell, another fighter was also killed, whose family has been notified but whose name has not yet been cleared for publication and will be released later. In a separate incident, another fighter from the same combat engineering battalion was seriously wounded in battle in southern Gaza Strip last night. The wounded fighter was evacuated for medical treatment at a hospital and his family has been updated.

In addition to the fallen from the combat engineering battalion, the IDF Spokesperson announced in a separate statement the death of Corporal Eitan Zaks from Be'er Sheva, 18, a soldier in fighter training in the Multi-Dimensional Unit. Zaks fell last Tuesday (June 24) as a result of a missile strike launched from Iran. The IDF reported that he was posthumously promoted from the rank of Private to Corporal.

The 605th Combat Engineering Battalion belongs to the "Barak" Formation (188) and operates within the framework of combat in the southern Strip. The unit specializes in obstacle clearance, tunnel and explosive device detonation, and advanced combat engineering activities in combat zones. The battalion has suffered heavy losses during the war in Gaza, as its fighters are called upon to carry out dangerous missions at point-blank range from enemy forces.

The fall of seven IDF soldiers in one day constitutes one of the difficult and painful events the army has experienced in recent months. These events illustrate the harsh and prolonged nature of the fighting in the Gaza Strip, where IDF forces operate against terrorist organizations operating in the heart of complex terrain, saturated with explosive traps and underground infrastructure.

The battles in the Gaza Strip have now continued for over eight months, since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The IDF operates in multiple theaters simultaneously, with different units conducting combat activities both in the southern Strip and in additional areas. The fighting focuses on eliminating Hamas commanders, destroying terrorist infrastructure, and searching for Israeli hostages still held in Gaza.

The Iranian missile strike in which Corporal Eitan Zaks fell is part of Iran's direct attacks on Israel during the war. Iran has carried out several waves of missile and unmanned aircraft attacks toward Israel, most of which were intercepted by Israeli defense systems but some reached their targets.

These notifications are delivered to the victims' families before their official publication, as part of the IDF's established procedure. The families receive military escorts and emotional support during the difficult period. The IDF reported that it shares in the families' grief and will continue to accompany them.

The number of IDF casualties since the beginning of the war on October 7 continues to rise, with this week's events highlighting the heavy price paid by Israeli soldiers in this war. The battles continue on multiple fronts, as the IDF continues to operate to achieve the war's objectives while dealing with complex challenges in the field.

Photo: IDF Spokesperson | Graphics: "Maakav"