IDF announces death of 2 soldiers in northern Gaza – www.israelhayom.com

The Israeli army announced Saturday night the deaths of two soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip. They were named as Staff Sgt. Yair Avitan, 20, of the 890th Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade, from Ra’anana; and Sgt. First Class (res.) Yakir Shmuel Tatelbaum, 21, of the 77th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade, from Ma’ale Adumim.

Avitan leaves behind his parents and three younger siblings. He grew up and went to school in Raanana, where he graduated from the Amit Kfar Batya Scientific and Technological High School. He was buried in the Raanana military cemetery.

Shirit Avitan Cohen, Israel Hayom political commentator and Avitan’s aunt, praised her nephew: “My sweet nephew fell in Gaza on Friday. Our Yair, you didn’t even need to be in Gaza, but you insisted, so strongly insisted, to participate in this war just for our sake. How worried we were every time you were there. Your grandparents lit trays of candles for you, just so you would return safely, and this time you didn’t come back. absence.”

Raanana Mayor Chaim Broida said: “Our hearts break to learn of the death in combat of Staff Sergeant Yair Avitan, a son of our city, the salt of the earth, who risked his life to defend the security of the country. The community of Raanana shares the pain of the Avitan family, embraces them and surrounds them in this difficult hour. »

Tatelbaum was a student of Warrant Officer (Res.) Elon Weiss, who had been killed in Gaza two weeks earlier. At the time, he wrote of his teacher: “I am heartbroken. Elon Weiss, Professor Elon. A great educator I had the privilege of knowing, so kind and fair to his students and those around him. How I loved to joke with you at school, on trips, after school, trying to get on your nerves as much as possible. A teacher loved by all without exception.”

The deaths of Avitan and Tatelbaum bring the death toll from the IDF ground operation to 318.