Fallen soldiers

Reserve soldiers Nadav Kali and Ofek Mualem were killed after an armed drone fell at an outpost in northern Gaza and exploded when they approached it. Following the accident, the IDF suspended the use of explosive drones and formed an expert team to investigate the incident.

After 44 years, Yehuda Katz, the last missing soldier from the Battle of Sultan Yacoub, has come home. Fellow soldier Avi Rat reflects on the battle and decades of waiting.

IDF representatives informed the family of Yehuda Katz, of blessed memory, that the soldier’s remains have been located. In recent years, the bodies of Zecharia Baumel and Zvi Feldman, of blessed memory, were also returned.

An IDF Missing Persons Branch investigation, conducted with Israel’s Defense Ministry, determined that Shlomo Chaimson is buried in the ma’apilim section of a cemetery in Haifa. Chaimson was killed by guards at the Caraolos detention camp in Cyprus while attempting to escape.

Family, friends, and the widow of Maj. (Res.) Harel Birnstok, of blessed memory, who was killed in an explosive blast in southern Lebanon, accompanied him to his final resting place at Mount Herzl. One friend said: “An exemplary father. He gave 100% of himself to protect all of us.”

The soldiers were killed when an explosive device detonated inside a booby-trapped building near Majdal Zoun. Four additional soldiers were seriously wounded in the incident.

Major Yuval Ezra, who was killed in a terror attack near Shechem, was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Beit Dagan. Through tears, his family said goodbye and spoke about the man and officer he was.

Maj. Yuval Ezra, 27, a battery commander in the Artillery Corps, will be laid to rest tomorrow at the military cemetery in Beit Dagan. He was killed yesterday in a terror attack near the village of Tel in Samaria. His parents said he was set to be married next year.

Israel Police have begun presenting the findings of their October 7 investigation to the families of fallen officers before releasing the report to the public.

The IDF said an initial investigation indicates that an explosive drone struck the tank in which Battalion 52 commander Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Shimon and three other soldiers from the battalion were killed 10 days ago in southern Lebanon. The incident is still under investigation, and the families have been updated on the findings.

Miriam Shani, whose husband fell on October 7, married Ofek in a ceremony marked by grief, faith and renewal

Sgt. First Class (res.) Alexander Filin, 29, of Haifa, a soldier in the 36th Division headquarters, was killed in combat in southern Lebanon. Seven additional soldiers were wounded, from light to moderate, including the division’s deputy commander. The force was hit by an explosive device detonated by Hezbollah terrorists during IDF operations in the Litani area. In a separate incident, five soldiers were wounded.

David Yaari, whose son Ehud HY"D was killed last week in southern Lebanon by a bullet accidentally discharged by a fellow soldier during an operational mission, has asked the IDF to release the soldier from detention. The grieving father said, "The army should absolutely learn operational lessons, but not through a punitive process."

Staff Sgt. Ohad Yaari, of blessed memory, a Givati soldier who fell in Lebanon, was laid to rest. His cousin, Yehuda Shmuel Sherman, of blessed memory, was murdered about three months ago at the “Shuva Yisrael” farm near Homesh.

Capt. Dr. Uri Yosef Sylvester, z"l, 30, of Tel Aviv, the battalion physician for the Shaked Battalion of the Givati Brigade, was killed by an explosive drone strike in southern Lebanon. The battalion commander and six officers and soldiers were wounded in the incident.

A Hezbollah explosive drone struck around 1:00 a.m. near Golani Brigade combat forces operating in southern Lebanon. As a result of the hit, Staff Sgt. Adam Tzarfati was killed, and three other soldiers were wounded — one seriously and two lightly.

The IDF announced that Staff Sgt. Noam Hamburger, 23, of Atlit, was killed by an explosive drone strike near the Lebanon border.

Reserve Major Itamar Sapir, 27, who was killed in combat, is being laid to rest in the military section of the cemetery in Ra'anana. Ariel Mayor Yair Shtabon eulogized him: "The city is hurting and in shock. We will make sure his memory is honored in our city in a meaningful way."

Remembering Noam Raz hy"d through the eyes of his teacher, a powerful reflection on quiet heroism and lasting influence.

A little over two years after Captain Yehuda Cohen saved his platoon during a mission in Gaza, his father reflects on his bravery and enduring legacy.