List of 7 Israeli Soldiers Killed and Full Biographies

List of 7 Israeli Soldiers Killed and Full Biographies

 

List of Israeli Soldiers Killed

• Lieutenant Matan Shai Yashinovski, 21, from Rehovot
• Staff Sergeant Ronel Ben-Moshe, 20, from Rehovot
• Staff Sergeant Niv Radia, 20, from Elyakhin
• Sergeant Ronen Shapiro, 19, from Ganei Tikva
• Sergeant Shahar Manoav, 21, from Kiryat Shmona
• Sergeant Maayan Baruch Perlstein, 20, from Efrat
• Corporal Eitan Zacks, 18, from Jerusalem (off-duty, killed in a separate Iranian missile strike in Beersheba alongside his mother)

Biographies of the Soldiers

• Lieutenant Matan Shai Yashinovski, 21, Rehovot
  • Background: Matan Shai Yashinovski, a platoon commander, was from Rehovot, a city south of Tel Aviv known for its scientific community and middle-class neighborhoods. As a young officer, he likely completed high school and entered mandatory military service at 18, advancing to a leadership role due to demonstrated skill and responsibility.
  • Military Role: As a platoon commander, Yashinovski would have led a unit of 20–30 soldiers, responsible for tactical operations, training, and ensuring unit cohesion. His role suggests he was part of a combat unit, likely in the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) infantry or armored corps, operating in high-risk areas like Khan Younis.
  • Personal Context: Rehovot natives often come from diverse backgrounds, including Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jewish communities. Yashinovski’s leadership position at a young age indicates ambition and dedication, common among IDF officers who undergo rigorous training.
• Staff Sergeant Ronel Ben-Moshe, 20, Rehovot
  • Background: Also from Rehovot, Ronel Ben-Moshe was likely a peer of Yashinovski, possibly sharing community ties. At 20, he was in the midst of his mandatory service, which typically lasts 2–3 years for men in Israel.
  • Military Role: As a staff sergeant, Ben-Moshe would have been a non-commissioned officer, possibly a squad leader or specialist in a combat or support role, such as operating advanced weaponry or communications equipment in Gaza operations.
  • Personal Context: His young age and rank suggest he was a capable soldier, potentially earmarked for further leadership roles. Rehovot’s community would likely mourn him as a local hero, reflecting the city’s strong support for the IDF.
• Staff Sergeant Niv Radia, 20, Elyakhin
  • Background: Niv Radia hailed from Elyakhin, a small moshav (cooperative agricultural community) in central Israel’s Sharon Plain. Growing up in a rural setting, he may have been involved in community activities tied to agriculture or local governance before conscription.
  • Military Role: As a staff sergeant, Radia likely served in a similar capacity to Ben-Moshe, with responsibilities in a combat unit. His unit’s presence in Khan Younis indicates engagement in counter-terrorism or security operations against Hamas or other groups.
  • Personal Context: Elyakhin’s tight-knit community would feel his loss deeply, as small towns often rally around their soldiers. Radia’s service reflects the duty felt by many young Israelis in rural areas to protect national security.
• Sergeant Ronen Shapiro, 19, Ganei Tikva
  • Background: From Ganei Tikva, a suburban town near Tel Aviv, Ronen Shapiro was likely in his first or second year of mandatory service. At 19, he was among the youngest of the group, reflecting the IDF’s reliance on young conscripts for frontline duties.
  • Military Role: As a sergeant, Shapiro would have been a junior non-commissioned officer, possibly assisting in squad-level operations or serving as a specialist (e.g., medic, radio operator, or infantryman) in Khan Younis.
  • Personal Context: Ganei Tikva’s proximity to Tel Aviv suggests Shapiro grew up in an urban, middle-class environment with access to strong educational systems, preparing him for military service.
• Sergeant Shahar Manoav, 21, Kiryat Shmona
  • Background: Shahar Manoav was from Kiryat Shmona, a northern city near the Lebanese border, often targeted by Hezbollah rockets. His upbringing in a high-risk area likely shaped a strong sense of duty.
  • Military Role: As a sergeant, Manoav would have had operational responsibilities, possibly in a combat role given the intensity of Khan Younis operations. His unit’s engagement suggests experience in urban warfare or counter-insurgency.
  • Personal Context: Kiryat Shmona’s residents face frequent security threats, fostering resilience. Manoav’s loss would resonate deeply in a community accustomed to conflict but proud of its contributions to national defense.
• Sergeant Maayan Baruch Perlstein, 20, Efrat
  • Background: Maayan Baruch Perlstein was from Efrat, a religious Jewish settlement in the West Bank. Growing up in a community with strong Zionist and religious values, he likely combined military service with ideological commitment to Israel’s security.
  • Military Role: As a sergeant, Perlstein would have served in a combat or support role, possibly in a unit tasked with securing Gaza’s border areas or conducting targeted operations against Hamas infrastructure.
  • Personal Context: Efrat’s religious community would view Perlstein’s service as part of a broader mission to protect Jewish presence in Israel. His death would likely prompt communal mourning and calls for continued security measures.
• Corporal Eitan Zacks, 18, Jerusalem (Off-Duty, Killed in Beersheba)
  • Background: Eitan Zacks, an 18-year-old IDF corporal, was from Jerusalem and killed off-duty in an Iranian missile strike on Beersheba alongside his mother. At 18, he was likely in his first year of mandatory service, one of the youngest soldiers affected.
  • Military Role: As a corporal, Zacks would have been a junior enlisted soldier, possibly training for a specialized role or serving in a support capacity. His off-duty status during the missile strike indicates he was not on active deployment at the time.
  • Personal Context: Jerusalem’s diverse population includes religious and secular communities, and Zacks’ loss alongside his mother highlights the civilian toll of Iranian attacks. His death underscores the vulnerability of off-duty soldiers and their families during escalations.

• Pre-Ceasefire Strikes: Iran fired 14 missiles at Israel in the final hours before the ceasefire, with one hitting Beersheba, killing Zacks and others. Israel accused Iran of violating the truce, while Iran claimed its strikes were in response to Israel’s “brutal attack.” Israel responded with a limited strike on a Tehran radar installation but halted further attacks after Trump’s urging.
• Gaza Incident: The Khan Younis attack, attributed to Hamas or Iran-backed groups, was separate from the Israel-Iran ceasefire, as it involved Palestinian militants in Gaza. The timing, hours before the ceasefire took effect, suggests Hamas exploited the regional escalation to target IDF forces, undermining the broader de-escalation effort.

5. Implications of These Deaths in Israel

• Military and Security: The Khan Younis incident underscores Hamas’s continued threat in Gaza, despite Israel’s efforts to dismantle its infrastructure. The IDF’s high casualty count in a single incident—the deadliest in Gaza since the March 2025 ceasefire collapse—raises questions about operational safety and intelligence failures. The Beersheba missile strike highlights Israel’s vulnerability to Iranian long-range attacks, even with advanced defenses like the Arrow system, which intercepted most missiles but missed one. Israel’s low stock of Arrow interceptors, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, amplifies concerns about sustained defense capabilities.
• Political Fallout: The deaths fuel domestic pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, already criticized for escalating conflicts with Iran and Hamas. Right-wing figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir push for aggressive responses, while moderates and opposition groups may demand accountability for security lapses. The ceasefire with Iran, while holding, is fragile, and further Hamas attacks could complicate diplomacy.
• Public Morale: The loss of young soldiers and civilians, especially Zacks and his mother, deepens national grief and anger. Posts on X reflect heartbreak and calls for remembrance, indicating a unified mourning process but also frustration with ongoing conflicts. The deaths may intensify public demand for decisive action against Hamas and Iran, though some, like Haifa resident Daniel Kopylkov, express hope that Trump’s ceasefire will bring lasting peace.
• Regional Dynamics: The Gaza attack, linked to Iran-backed Hamas, suggests Iran’s proxy groups remain active despite the ceasefire, challenging Israel’s security strategy. The Beersheba strike reinforces Iran’s ability to target Israeli cities, potentially emboldening other proxies like Hezbollah. Israel’s coordination with Trump and the U.S. for defense support underscores its reliance on American backing, as noted by historian Marc Volovici.

• Hope for Peace: Many Israelis, like Daniel Kopylkov in Haifa, credit Trump’s ceasefire for halting the Israel-Iran conflict and hope it extends to Gaza. World leaders, including Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the UN’s António Guterres, echo calls for a permanent truce and broader regional de-escalation, including resolving the Gaza conflict.
• Demand for Accountability: X posts and media suggest anger at Hamas for the Khan Younis attack and Iran for Beersheba, with calls for stronger military responses. Netanyahu’s vow that “Iran will pay a heavy price” reflects this sentiment, though some fear escalation could derail the ceasefire.
• Gaza-Specific Hopes: The deaths near aid sites (27 Palestinians killed on June 3, 23 on June 20) have intensified criticism of Israel’s Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid system, backed by the U.S. and Israel. UN officials and locals hope for a return to UN-led aid distribution to reduce civilian casualties and improve access, potentially easing tensions that fuel Hamas attacks.
• Long-Term Stability: Israelis hope for a resolution to the Hamas conflict, with some supporting Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Gaza residents to Egypt or Jordan, though this is widely rejected by Palestinians and Arab states. Others, like economic journalist Bahman Ahmadi Amouee, see the broader conflict as a barrier to economic and social progress, hoping for diplomatic solutions.

Conclusion