fallen soldiers

Fallen soldier's brother:

'Mom opened the door and screamed in pain, 'They've come''

Gregory, whose brother was killed in the APC incident in Khan Yunis, shares with Arutz Sheva the moment his family received the heartbreaking news.

Investigation into disaster:

Terrorist threw explosive into APC, killing 7 soldiers

An initial investigation into the serious incident in Khan Yunis, where an officer and six soldiers from the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion were killed, reveals that the explosive was thrown into the military vehicle by a terrorist who climbed onto the APC.

Fallen soldiers laid to rest

'We won't forget your smile and good-heartedness'

Families and friends mourned five of the seven fallen IDF soldiers in emotional funerals held across Israel, as loved ones paid tribute to their courage, character, and sacrifice following the deadly APC explosion in Khan Yunis.

Major tragedy:

Seven soldiers fell in southern Gaza

Seven soldiers were killed when a terrorist attached an explosive device to their armored vehicle in Khan Yunis, causing it to explode.

Courage and bravery:

879 soldiers have fallen since October 7th, 2023

Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th, 2023, 879 IDF soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for Israel's existence on various fronts.

Cleared for publication:

Corporal Eitan Zacks killed in Iranian missile strike

Corporal Eitan Zacks, aged 18, from Be'er Sheva, a soldier in combat training in the Multidimensional Unit (888), was killed together with 3 other people in an Iranian missile strike on a residential building in Be'er Sheva.

Cleared for publication:

Staff Sergeant Stav Halfon fell in battle in Gaza

Staff Sergeant Halfon, aged 20, from Petah Tikva, was killed by sniper fire in the southern Gaza Strip.

Cleared for publication:

Staff Sergeant Naveh Leshem fell in southern Gaza

Staff Sergeant Naveh Leshem from Nokdim, a soldier in the Golani Brigade, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip.

Captain (Res.) Tal Movshovitz fell in combat in Gaza

The IDF has cleared for publication that Captain (res.) Tal Movshovitz Merot, deputy company commander in the Combat Engineering Battalion, was killed in battle in southern Gaza.

Sergeant First Class Noam Shemesh fell in battle in southern Gaza

Shemesh, aged 21, from Jerusalem, served as a squad commander in the Shimshon Battalion (92), Kfir Brigade.

Khan Younis collapse:

Troops spotted suspicious object, retreated, bomb still detonated

The findings of the initial investigation into the deaths of 4 soldiers in Khan Yunis indicate that the soldiers carried out advanced scans and were careful - but the bomb was activated when they called a bomb disposal team.

Tom and Uri named as two of the soldiers who fell in Gaza

Sergeant First Class Tom Rotstein, 23 years old from Ramat Gan, and Sergeant Uri Yhonatan Cohen, 20 years old from Neve Yarak, were two of the soldiers killed in a Gaza explosion earlier this week, IDF says.

IDF:

'Critical and moral mission to bring all 56 hostages home'

IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin issues solemn statement following the tragic deaths of four IDF soldiers during combat operations in Gaza, shedding light on the challenging realities of the ongoing conflict and the IDF's multifaceted efforts.

Staff Sergeant Yoav Raver fell in battle in southern Gaza Strip

The Southern Sharon Regional Council announced that Staff Sergeant Yoav Raver from Sde Warburg fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.

'Acted with quiet strength'

Liri Albag remembers fallen classmate Yoav Raver

Captivity survivor Liri Albag mourns her former classmate, Staff Sergeant Yoav Raver, one of four soldiers killed in Gaza. Remembered for his kindness and quiet strength, Yoav was also a national youth basketball player.

Widow of fallen soldier Maoz Fenigstein marries his friend

Odeya Fenigstein, whose husband Maoz fell in Gaza, weds Elhanan Atiya, a close friend of Maoz.

Master Sergeant (Res.) Alon Farkas fell in battle in Gaza

Master Sergeant (Res.) Alon Farkas, aged 27, from Kabri, a soldier in the 6646th Reconnaissance Battalion, 646th Brigade, fell during combat in the northern Gaza Strip.

Cleared for publication:

Three Givati Brigade soldiers fell in Gaza

Three soldiers from the Givati Brigade 9th Battalion killed in northern Gaza minefield.

PM after 3 soldiers killed:

'The price is high, but we'll achieve the war's objectives'

The Prime Minister addresses the nation after 3 Givati soldiers were killed in Gaza. 'They fell in a just war like no other - we will defeat Hamas, liberate all the hostages and ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.'

Omer's mother mourns:

'My firstborn son. A tremendous loss'

Omer Van Gelder, a dedicated MDA volunteer and aspiring doctor, will be buried at Mount Herzl; family mourns 'a tremendous loss' after deadly IED attack in Jabaliya.

Building where Staff Sgt. Danilo Mocanu was killed destroyed

IDF troops struck and dismantled the booby-trapped structure from which an explosive device was activated against IDF soldiers, an incident in which Staff Sergeant Danilo Mocanu fell during combat.

David Libi, killed in Gaza, won't be recognized as fallen soldier

Despite performing military duties and facing identical risks, 19-year-old David Libi will not be recognized as an IDF casualty due to his status as a civilian contractor.

'She died of a broken heart'

Liel Buchris, sister of fallen IDF hero, dies of cancer

Months after losing her brother, Maj. Chen Buchris, Liel Buchris passes away from cancer at age 34. Her family believes grief overwhelmed her. 'October 7 hasn’t ended.'

Cleared for publication:

Staff Sergeant Danilo Mocanu fell in Gaza

Staff Sergeant Danilo Mocanu from Holon killed in building collapse during combat in southern Gaza. One other soldier lightly wounded. 858 soldiers have fallen since the start of the war.

In honor of our fallen soldiers:

Ode to the 'Boots on the Ground'

In response to the global surge of Antisemitism. A poem.

Bereaved wife eulogizes:

'You are the greatest gift I received in my life'

In a heartbreaking eulogy, wife of Sgt. Yosef Chirak who fell in Gaza speaks of the life they dreamed of together and the unbearable pain of his absence, calling him 'the greatest gift' she had ever received.

IDF inquiry:

Sergeant Yosef Yehuda Chirak was killed by friendly fire

The preliminary investigation found that while SGT Chirak was working to inspect a tunnel shaft in northern Gaza, a force that was securing the area shot him.

Mourning in Binyamin:

Sergeant Yosef Yehuda Chirak from Harasha fell in the Gaza Strip

Sergeant Yosef Yehuda Chirak from Harasha in Binyamin fell during combat in the northern Gaza Strip. He was only 22 years old and recently married.

'We live with him — without him':

Wife of slain officer speaks of loss and light

Hadas Hershkowitz shares the life and legacy of her husband Yossi, a beloved educator and IDF commander, whose values and voice continue to guide his family and students after his death in Gaza.

Heroism and sacrifice:

The last words of Sergeant Yishai Urbach before his fall in Gaza

Yuval, Yishai Urbach’s widow, recalls his final conversation, as he prepared for a mission of strength and honor fighting for his people and country. 'I am proud of him.'

Sgt. Yishai Urbach was married 2 months before he fell in Gaza

Sergeant Yishai Elyakim Urbach from Zichron Ya'akov went back into Gaza 2 months after getting married, where he was killed in action.

Cleared for publication:

Two IDF soldiers fell in battle in Gaza

Sergeant Yishai Elyakim Urbach and Staff Sergeant Yam Frid fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip. Four other soldiers seriously wounded. A total of 856 soldiers have fallen since the start of the war.

Cleared for publication:

SGM Dejen Daniel Sahalo killed in operational accident near Gaza

Sergeant Major (Res.) Dejen Daniel Sahalo, a combat soldier in the 5067th Engineering Battalion, was killed in a car accident during operational activity in the area of the communities near the Gaza Strip.

Captain Noam Ravid, Staff Sgt, Yaly Seror fell in battle in Gaza

2 soldiers from the Yahalom Unit, Combat Engineering Corps, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip, the IDF cleared for publication.

Sergeant Niv Dayag, 19, killed in accident in Golan Heights

Sergeant Niv Dayag, 19, killed in a car accident during operational activity in the Golan Heights; two other soldiers injured.

Fallen soldier's brothers:

We mourn his loss, on Independence Day we will celebrate for him

The three brothers of Lieutenant Shahar Ben Nun speak to Arutz Sheva and describe their feelings on the first Memorial Day as bereaved brothers.

Netanyahu puts on tefillin of fallen soldier Yossi Hershovitz

On Yom Hazikaron, the Prime Minister put on the tefillin of Maj. (res.) Yossi Hershkovitz, an educator who fell during the war.

Minister Katz:

'IDF must always be a barrier between enemies and our citizens'

Minister of Defense Katz addressed the Memorial Day name-reading ceremony and stated: 'The goal is a clear victory - without compromises.'

Emotional letter written by fallen soldier to his grandmother

Adi, mother of fallen soldier Sergeant first class (res.) Idan Kenan, reads an emotional letter he wrote to his grandmother shortly before he was killed in Gaza.

Parents of fallen soldiers:

'Life goes on, but it has changed forever'

A retreat for 400 bereaved parents held by the OneFamily organization provided tools and strength for those for whom every day is Memorial Day. We must care for them as we remember their sons.

Netanyahu:

'After 10/7, the TikTok gen. proved they connect with reality'

PM tells story of fallen soldier Shaul Moyal during ceremony for Yom Hazikaron at Yad Lebanim. "The family of the bereaved is also my family."

Captain Ido Voloch:

Fallen soldier's last message

Bereaved brother of Captain Ido Voloch reads a message his brother wrote during his officers' training course, where he also mentions his friends who fell during the Swords of Iron war.

Cleared for publication:

Ido and Neta fell in battle in Gaza

Captain Ido Voloch, 21, of the Armored Corps, and Sergeant Neta Yitzhak Kahana, a Border Police officer, fell in battle in Gaza.

Ahead of Memorial Day 5785:

The number of Israel's fallen stands at 25,417

Since last Memorial Day, 316 fallen soldiers have been added to the tally, along with 61 disabled veterans who passed away due to their disabilities and were recognized during the year as fallen soldiers of Israel's wars.

Father learns of son's death while on his way to Bergen-Belsen

Hagai, father of Master Sergeant Asaf Cafri who fell in battle in Gaza, received the news of his son’s death while in Germany with his 96-year-old Holocaust survivor grandmother.

Cleared for publication:

Master Sergeant Asaf Cafri fell in battle in northern Gaza

Asaf Cafri, who served as a tank driver in the 79th Battalion, 'Machatz' Brigade (14th), fell during combat in the northern Gaza Strip.

Herzog writes letter in Torah scroll honoring fallen soldier

Eternal Heroism: President Isaac Herzog and leading rabbis write letters in Torah scroll dedicated to memory of Sergeant Segev Schwartz, who jumped on a grenade to save dozens of his comrades.

Independence Day ceremony

Rabbi whose two sons fell in 10.7 battles to light torch

On October 7th, 2023, Rabbi Shmuel Slotki presided over the IDF team that worked to search for bodies in southern Israel. At the same time, his sons, Yishay and Noam, went to fight the terrorists and lost their lives doing so.

G'haleb Sliman Alnasasra from Rahat fell in battle in Gaza

Command Sergeant Major G'haleb Sliman Alnasasra, 35 years old from Rahat, fell in battle in Gaza; two soldiers injured.

5 months later:

IDF recognizes Yitzhar resident Shneur Cohen as war casualty

5 months after he was killed in a grenade explosion in northern Gaza, the IDF has acceded to the family's request to add Sergeant Shneur Zalman Cohen to the list of war casualties.

Bereaved mother:

'I'm not afraid of Iran, but of the chaos among us'

Nirit Rauchberger, mother of fallen IDF soldier Captain Shilo Rauchberger, who was killed in battle on October 7, describes her son's personality and talks about the new memorial being built for him in Eli.

Tragedy in northern Israel:

Sergeant Yosef Haim Tzvi Serlin, 19, dies

Sergeant Yosef Haim Tzvi Serlin, 19 years old from Jerusalem, declared dead after collapsing following training exercise in northern Israel. IDF investigating.

IDF suspends all Krav Maga training following soldier's death

After Sergeant Yosef Haim Tzvi Serlin collapsed and died during routine training, the commanding officer of the Ground Forces decided to suspend all Krav Maga courses until Sunday.

Infuriating footage:

Anti-government protesters tear down photos of fallen soldiers

Footage shows protesters tearing down banners with the photos of soldiers who fell in the war. 'In the Holy Land, which our fathers dreamt of in exile, nothing is holy anymore.'

Fallen soldier's family voices concern over renewed Gaza fighting

The parents of fallen American-Israeli soldier Captain Omer Neutra voiced concerns over Israel’s renewed military operations in Gaza, arguing that airstrikes endanger the remaining hostages rather than securing their return.

Moving:

Murdered lookout's handwriting preserved in book title

In moving gesture, handwriting of murdered Nahal Oz lookout Sgt. Yael Leibushor turned into font adorning new book on the weekly Torah portion.

Emotional:

Newborn nephew named after IDF soldier who fell in Gaza

Sister of Sgt. Yehonatan Elias, who fell in Gaza last year, names her firstborn son after her brother.

Pain mixed with joy:

How a fallen hero's family celebrated Purim

Rachel Goldberg, wife of fallen soldier Avi Goldberg, talks about celebrating Purim despite the difficult pain of the loss and explains the significance behind the family's special costume.

Lookout's mother:

'She continued reporting after terrorists infiltrated'

Mother of fallen IDF lookout Sergeant Yael Leibushor, says recordings reveals that her daughter 'picked herself up with the most confident voice, continued reporting while they were in the post.'

Widow of fallen soldier announces engagement

Meitar Eliyahu, widow of Sergeant First Class (res.) Yedidya Eliyahu, who fell in battle in Gaza, announces that she is engaged to Baruch Tzuri Noked of Hebron.