“You Were So Full of Life”: Maj. (Res.) Harel Birnstok Laid to Rest

Family members, friends, and acquaintances of Maj. (Res.) Harel Birnstok, who was killed yesterday (Wednesday) in an explosive blast in southern Lebanon, accompanied him today (Thursday) on his final journey at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. One after another, family members rose to eulogize him, sharing memories of his life and the immense pain he left behind. At the same time, additional details are emerging about the incident in which he was killed alongside Master Sgt. Tamir Vaknin, of blessed memory.<\/p>

Harel’s mother, Yonat, eulogized him: “Woe to us, my firstborn son. My beautiful one. I can’t believe this is what happened to us. I will never believe it.” She described how he made her a mother and a grandmother, and spoke about the family he built with his wife, Elia: “You built, with Elia, who is like a true daughter to us, the sweetest family imaginable.” His mother added that her son loved his military service and would always tell her: “’Mom, in the end everyone dies. So if I’m going to die—at least this way.’ The truth is, you’re right.”<\/p>

She then turned to prayer and said: “Hashem in heaven, You taught us everything we know about the joy and happiness that filled every corner of our hearts when Harel was born. You taught us how to rejoice. Give us a hand to deal with this pain that is tearing our souls apart. Maybe enough already with this pain that is tearing apart so many families.”<\/p>

His father, Shlomo, described his son’s character: “You were so full of life, full of silliness, but also full of seriousness. I can say that I envied you.” He spoke of the happiness he felt watching his son build a family: “We were so moved, so happy. This is a great test of faith for me.”<\/p>

His widow, Elia, also said goodbye: “I’m trying to remember that you told me to be strong—send me strength.” She added: “I promise that our children will grow up in a happy home, full of dancing and fun.”<\/p>

His brother, Matan, said in an interview with Kan News on Reshet Bet: “He was a very family-oriented person, with extraordinary vitality. He loved life very much, loved his family very much, loved to spend time out, loved to run, hike, and get around. Everything that expressed life for him. He also had the support of his wife Elia and his children.”<\/p>

His close friend Michael said: “An exemplary father to four children. He gave 100% of himself to protect all of us.” According to him, Birnstok worked as an engineer at Elbit, but when he was called up for reserve duty, he “put everything aside.” He also shared their final exchange: “We were texting on the morning of the incident. I asked when we would go biking. He sent me a photo and wrote, ‘Not anytime soon, I’m going into an operation.’ When I heard there had been an incident, I wrote to him, but he never received that message.”<\/p>

Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a message of condolence to the families of the fallen: “On behalf of the entire defense establishment, I send my heartfelt condolences to the families,” he said. “Harel and Tamir left behind families and full lives, and each time they reported for reserve duty with commitment, dedication, and a deep sense of mission. They fell while working for the security of the State of Israel and the residents of the north.”<\/p>

Master Sgt. Tamir Vaknin was also killed alongside Birnstok in the incident, and his funeral is expected to take place later today. According to the preliminary investigation, the explosion occurred inside a booby-trapped building whose existence the IDF did not know about. The incident occurred around noon during an operation by soldiers from Battalion 28 of Brigade 55—the reserve paratroopers brigade—in a village in the western sector of Israel’s security zone, about 8 kilometers from the border. The force was securing engineering work being carried out in Ajar, and under circumstances still being investigated by the IDF, the soldiers entered the building, which turned out to be booby-trapped.<\/p>