IDF names Sgt. Cohen, Sgt.-Maj. Rotstein as additional fallen soldiers in Khan Yunis

The IDF announced on Friday that four Israeli soldiers were killed and five others were wounded in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, when a bomb detonated, causing a building to collapse on the troops.

Sergeant Uri Yehonatan Cohen, 20, from Neve Yarak, and Sergeant Major Tom Rotstein, 23, from Ramat Gan, fighters in the Yahalom unit, Combat Engineering Corps, fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip, the IDF confirmed on Saturday.

The IDF announced on Friday that four Israeli soldiers were killed and five others were wounded in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, when a bomb detonated, causing a building to collapse on the troops clearing the area.

Warrant Officer, (Warr. Ofc.) Chen Gross, and Staff-Sergeant (St.-Sgt.) Yoav Raver were the other two soldiers killed during the same incident.

The deaths of these four soldiers bring the total number of soldiers killed this week to eight.

The incident occurred at approximately 6 a.m., IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin informed.

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 troops entered is situated above a tunnel system, so it was necessary to enter and investigate it.

The aftermath of Friday's Gaza explosion

The Israeli army is using various methods to counter Hamas’s regular use of explosives, Brig.-Gen. 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.

In addition, the IDF held a security assessment Friday 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, Defrin emphasized that lessons will be learned.