IDF finds weapon of slain hostage Capt. Daniel Perez in booby-trapped Gaza compound
Captain Daniel Perez was murdered during the October 7 massacre. His remains were returned to Israel on October 13, 2025. His father, Rabbi Doron, was recently elected WZO president.The IDF found the weapon of slain hostage Capt. Daniel Perez in a booby-trapped compound in the northern Gaza Strip, the military confirmed on Monday.The IDF shared an image of a soldier having retrieved the weapon and a bomb within the compound.Perez was born in South Africa and moved with his family to Yad Binyamin in 2014. He was a Company Commander in the IDF's 77th Battalion, part of the 7th Armored Brigade.He was murdered by infiltrating Hamas terrorists during the October 7 massacre, with his remains being taken into the Gaza Strip. He was later returned on October 13, 2025.An IDF infographic showing a terrorist booby-trap bomb within the compound where slain hostage IDF Capt. Daniel Perez's weapon was found, December 8, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)At the time, he received plaudits from both the South African Diaspora community and key figures within Israel, with both President Isaac Herzog and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir in attendance when he was laid to rest in Har Herzl on October 15.Fallen soldier's father elected WZO presidentPerez's father, Rabbi Doron Perez, was elected president of the World Zionist Organization following a coalition agreement at the World Zionist Congress in November.Michael Starr and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
