IDF announces names of two fallen soldiers

The Israeli army announced on Friday the names of two soldiers killed in combat in the Gaza Strip by mortar fire.

Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Omer Smadja, 25, from Ganot Hadar, from Battalion 9203 of the Alexandroni Brigade, fell in combat in the central Gaza Strip.

Sgt.-Maj. (res.) Saadia Yaakov Dery, 27, from Tel Aviv, from Battalion 9203 of the Alexandroni Brigade, fell in combat in the central Gaza Strip.

The army noted that three soldiers were seriously injured in the same incident. They were transferred to hospital for further medical treatment.

SMADJA WITH his father-coach, Morris, who helped introduce judo to Israel. (credit: ODED KARNI)

According to Israeli media, Omer was the son of Oren Smadja, a former judoka, Olympic medalist and coach of the Israeli judo team for the Olympic Games.