June 25, 2006 - Staff-Sgt. Pavel Slutzker, 20, of Dimona was one of two IDF soldiers killed when terrorists infiltrated Israeli territory between the Kerem Shalom and Sufa crossings, by means of a tunnel dug from the Rafah area.
At about 5:30 in the morning, members of the Hamas and Popular Resistance Committees terror organizations infiltrated into Israel through a tunnel originating from the Rafah area, passing under the security fence to the area of the Kerem Shalom crossing in Israel. The cell, backed by mortar and anti-tank fire from within the Gaza Strip, attacked an armored personnel carrier, an IDF tank and a watchtower, killing two IDF soldiers and wounding four additional soldiers: one severely, two moderately and one lightly. Another soldier was abducted and declared missing in action.
Pavel Slutzker was the driver of the tank attacked by the terrorists and was killed along with Lt. Hanan Barak.
Pavel immigrated to Israel with his family in 1991. He was an outstanding student, excelling particularly in mathematics and English, who planned to study medicine, for which he had been awarded a full scholarship from Bar Ilan University. A graduate of the Lehman high school in Dimona, principal Eliezer Ben-Sheetrit recalls him as an excellent student who was well-liked by all.
Staff-Sgt. Pavel Slutzker was buried in Dimona's military cemetery. He is survived by his parents and older brother, Victor.