IDF Soldiers Amir Sassad and Yinon Vana Killed in Gaza Combat

The IDF announced this morning (Sunday) that two soldiers from the Golani Reconnaissance Unit were killed in the Gaza Strip: Captain Amir Saad, 22, from Yanuh-Jat, a technology and maintenance officer, and Sergeant Yinon Nuriel Vana, 20, from Kiryat Tivon, a technology and maintenance fighter. A combat officer from the Golani Reconnaissance Unit was moderately injured.

The incident occurred yesterday around 6:30 PM in the Al-Absanim neighborhood in eastern Khan Yunis. Terrorists, likely emerging from a tunnel shaft, approached a Merkava armored personnel carrier (Namer) carrying the two soldiers and attached an explosive device to it. The explosion killed the soldiers, who had entered Gaza to service equipment. The terrorists threw another explosive at a second Namer carrying Golani fighters and officers, but it failed to detonate, and no one was harmed.

Ra’ad, a cousin of Captain Amir Saad, spoke about him on the *Kalman Lieberman* program on Reshet Bet: “He was an incredible, smart kid, still in regular service. His father is exceptional, from a great family. Amir wanted to advance in the military; our whole family is in security.” Ra’ad added, “Two days ago, he was promoted to lieutenant. He loved the army and serving it. Yesterday, we received the tragic news. On Thursday, I texted him, ‘Mabrouk on the rank.’”

Cpt. Saad receives a new rank, July 2025

Captain Sa’ad was a relative of the late Lt. Col. Alim Abdallah, deputy commander of the 300th Brigade, who was killed at the start of the war in a clash with Hezbollah terrorists near Adamit on the Lebanon border.

Captain Saad’s funeral is scheduled for today at 5:00 PM.

Yinon's mother wrote:

"For two days now, I’ve known deep inside that they would come to me

Preparing myself for the worst.

How will I cope, what will I do?

For two days I’ve known—and repressed it.

But nothing prepares a mother for the knock at the door.

My little Yinon, My beloved.

The whole world is crying for you now

And I— I ask forgiveness For not hugging you tight enough the last time.

A knock at the door...

We will not let go, we are here for you.

And I disappear into the abyss,

And from here, I must begin to climb out.

With deepest sorrow, We hereby announce

That we are joining the bereaved families.

Our Yinon is gone."

The IDF has maintained operational control over the Al-Absanim neighborhood for months, yet terrorists managed to emerge from destroyed buildings and tunnel shafts, executing a planned and coordinated attack on two vehicles simultaneously.

Explosive devices and anti-tank fire have become the primary threats to IDF forces in recent weeks, as Hamas terrorists employ guerrilla tactics, exploiting weaknesses in IDF operations in Gaza to inflict heavy casualties.

Last night, the IDF cleared for publication that Master Sergeant (res.) Betzalel Yehoshua Mosbacher died from wounds sustained last week in southern Gaza. Mosbacher was injured alongside a reserve combat engineering officer when their Humvee hit an explosive device.

Master Sergeant (res.) Vladimir Luza, 36, from Ashkelon, a fighter in the 5th Brigade, was killed in combat in Rafah last week. He was laid to rest at the Ashkelon military cemetery, with hundreds attending to honor and accompany him on his final journey.

May their memories be a blessing.