Thousands Turn Out as Two Fallen Israeli Soldiers Are Laid to Rest

Thousands of people accompanied two IDF soldiers to their final resting places late Monday afternoon after they were killed yesterday and the day before in fighting in southern Lebanon, when explosive drones launched by Hezbollah terrorists struck them.

At the military cemetery in Ashkelon, Staff Sgt. Michael Tyukin, of blessed memory, 20, a fighter in the Givati Brigade reconnaissance unit, was laid to rest. He is survived by his mother, Katya, whose only son he was. Many members of the public answered the call from his friends, who are fighting in southern Lebanon, to come and pay their final respects.

Words of farewell were read in the name of his mother and grandfather: "Our Michael, it is hard to stand here today, and even harder to believe that we are saying goodbye to you. You were only 21. So young, with your whole life ahead of you and dreams waiting to come true. Five and a half years ago, you came to Israel full of hope, courage, and the desire to build your life here. We all knew how strong you were — not only physically, but in spirit too. Even though you were an only child, you chose to enlist. You were driven by purpose, determined, and chose to give of yourself and contribute. Beneath all that strength was a huge heart. You loved your family, your friends, and above all — you loved Mom."

His mother and grandfather also said in their eulogy: "How do we go on from here? Misha, our beloved, we see how much love you left behind, how many people had the privilege of knowing you and loved you. We love you, and we will miss you every day, for all our lives."

A representative of the Givati Brigade eulogized him: "You came to Israel six years ago, and about three years later you enlisted in the Givati Brigade. You completed a long, challenging, demanding, and character-building path, at the end of which you became a fighter in the Givati reconnaissance unit — an elite unit that demands high ability, determination, and courage. Your commanders and friends describe a special person, with a constant smile and a wide heart. A person sensitive to those around him, who volunteered, extended a hand, and gave of himself without asking for anything in return. A person who did not seek honor for himself, but always wanted to help others.

"Throughout your combat service, you took part in fighting in every arena, from Gaza in the south to Lebanon in the north. You were an outstanding soldier who acted מתוך תחושת שליחות עמוקה, ערבות הדדית ורעות, values that were reflected in every mission and every action."

At the military cemetery in Rosh HaAyin, Staff Sgt. Adam Tzarfati, of blessed memory, was laid to rest. Tzarfati, who was 20 when he died, served as a fighter in the Maglan unit of the Commando Brigade. He was killed overnight in a drone strike in southern Lebanon, in the Beaufort Ridge area that was captured last night by the IDF.

His mother, Mali, eulogized her son: "Joy and your smile were your trademark. Even when I saw you just now, how beautiful you are. You chose not to write a farewell letter so it would not bring bad luck, and instead you said goodbye on the phone. It is a shame I did not record those conversations. You had everything in you — a whole person. I cannot believe this is it. You are our love and our pride, and I wish I were lying here in your place, and in some sense, I am lying here beside you."