Israeli Soldier’s Mother Says Son “Vaporized” in Gaza Blast: No Body Recovered
Mother of fallen Israeli soldier Tom Rothstein says his remains were never found after massive explosion in Khan Younis; ID confirmed only through DNA.
Watan-The mother of an Israeli soldier killed two days ago in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, said her son and his entire team were “vaporized by the explosion” and that no body was found.
According to a report by the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Sunday, Sigal, the mother of Israeli soldier Tom Rothstein, who was killed in Khan Younis, stated:“I have no body for my son.”
On Friday, the Israeli army announced the death of four soldiers and the injury of five others, ranging from serious to moderate, during battles in southern Gaza.
The army stated in a release that two officers—holding the ranks of Sergeant First Class and Sergeant—and two other soldiers were killed due to an explosive device detonating in the ground floor of a building in Khan Younis.
سيغال والدة “توم روتشتاين” الذي قتل قبل يومين في خانيونس:
ابني توم وكل طاقمه تبخّروا من قوة الانفجار، لم يعثروا على جثته، لم أحصل عليها، تم التعرف عليه من خلال فحص الحمض النووي DNA، هو من تلقّى معظم موجة الانفجار. pic.twitter.com/FhUMuJb0WI— مؤمن مقداد (@MumenMeqdad) June 8, 2025
The deceased were identified as officers Hinn Gross and Yoav Rover, and soldiers Yuri Yehonatan and Tom Rothstein.
In her interview, Sigal, the mother of Rothstein, said:“Tom and his entire team were vaporized by the blast. Their bodies were not recovered. I didn’t receive his remains. He was identified only through DNA testing.”
She added:“Tom absorbed the main shockwave of the explosion. He vanished completely.”
