Families of 7 Israeli Soldiers Killed in Khan Younis Blame Army for Negligence

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the soldiers, all members of Combat Engineering Battalion 605, were killed during an ambush. Their families sent a fierce letter to the battalion commander, blaming outdated military vehicles for their sons’ deaths and urging the immediate replacement of the aging BOMA armored carriers, which they described as “primitive and unprotected.”

On Wednesday, the Israeli military confirmed the deaths of the seven soldiers during combat in Khan Younis. Meanwhile, Hamas’s Qassam Brigades released video footage showing what it claimed was a deadly ambush on two Israeli APCs in the southern Gaza Strip.

According to Israeli public broadcaster KAN, preliminary investigations found that the BOMA engineering vehicle was hit by an explosive device planted by a Palestinian fighter. The report stated:

“Fire broke out in the vehicle. Soldiers tried to extinguish it unsuccessfully. Eventually, a D9 bulldozer covered the vehicle in soil to put out the flames and dragged it away—with the soldiers still inside.”

However, Channel 14 reported that a new military inquiry contradicted early assessments, ruling out an anti-tank missile or improvised device, instead pointing to a serious lapse in securing the area—a recurring issue in previous incidents.

In their letter, the families said:“Our sons were killed because of defective, inappropriate equipment. The army knew it offered no protection but kept deploying soldiers in it.”

One grieving mother recalled that an officer had promised to replace the vehicles weeks ago, but nothing changed. She added that modern, unused vehicles were available, yet soldiers were forced to fight with damaged, outdated ones.

Another mother asked:“Are you waiting for more soldiers to die before taking action? Where is the army’s budget? Why are soldiers asking for donations to buy basic gear?”

The families are demanding a full investigation into the Khan Younis incident, stating:

“This was not a one-off accident. It was the result of a deep-rooted culture of negligence and failure to protect our troops.”

Context: Rising Israeli Casualties Amid Gaza War

Since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the Israeli military has reported:

• 879 soldiers and officers killed

• 6,012 wounded

Meanwhile, with full U.S. backing, Israel’s ongoing campaign has led to what rights groups and international observers describe as genocide:

• Over 188,000 Palestinian casualties (dead and wounded), mostly women and children

• More than 11,000 missing persons

• Hundreds of thousands displaced

• Nearly 1.5 million Palestinians homeless out of Gaza’s 2.4 million population due to home destruction

Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza for 18 years, and the war has only deepened the humanitarian catastrophe.