A Break in Khan Younis Gets Elite Israeli Unit Pulled from Gaza

24th July 2025

2 minutes read

A Break in Khan Younis Gets Elite Israeli Unit Pulled from Gaza

A special forces team from an elite Israeli military unit was pulled out of the Gaza Strip after taking what was deemed an improper break in the city of Khan Younis, located in the southern part of the enclave.

According to the Israeli outlet Ynet, the soldiers—who were serving permanently in a special operations unit—were reprimanded after removing their ceramic body armor containing weapons inside a building they had taken over. This action violated operational instructions, which require soldiers to keep their gear on at all times, even while resting.

The incident took place a few weeks ago during a joint operation between an armored battalion and a detachment from the elite unit. The soldiers were deployed without their full unit as part of a broader reallocation of forces across various sectors.

As a result, the troops involved were removed from Gaza, questioned, and eventually barred from returning to combat—partly due to their expected discharge from the army in the coming days or weeks.

This case adds to an ongoing confidence crisis within the elite unit that began in October 2023, following a prolonged firefight with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. At the time, members of the unit claimed a lack of support and delays in evacuation efforts during a fierce engagement that resulted in several fatalities.

The Khan Younis incident is one of multiple examples pointing to a decline in operational discipline, often attributed to troop fatigue after nearly two years of continuous combat. In recent months, there have also been reported mishandlings of explosives and weapons maintenance, which have led to operational mishaps.

Ynet further notes that the workload on soldiers in Gaza is so overwhelming that new arrivals sometimes lack adequate time for training. For instance, the newly appointed commander of the Golani Brigade was tasked with leading an assault on Hamas targets in Khan Younis on the same day he officially took command.

In response, the Israeli army’s spokesperson stated: “Since October 7, 2023, the unit has been engaged across all fronts, under intense conditions, carrying out both covert and public missions. Claims that soldiers were needlessly exposed to explosive threats are false. Forces are deployed only when operationally necessary, with intelligence and air support provided to reduce risks.”