Son of Former IDF Chief of Staff Killed in Gaza

Gal Meir Eisenkot, the son of former IDF Chief of Staff, Minister Gadi Eisenkot, was killed while battling Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza on Thursday.

Master Sgt. (res.) Gal Meir Eisenkot, 25, was part of the 551st Brigade’s 699th Battalion, from Herzliya. He was killed alongside Sergeant Major (Res.) Jonathan David Deitch, 34, from Harish, a soldier in Patrol Battalion 6623 of the 55th Brigade.

His father Gadi Eisenkot was chief of the general staff of the IDF from February 2015 to January 2018, and served in the military for more than four decades. In 2022, he was elected the Knesset as part of Benny Gancz’s National Unity party.

In addition, two reservists, a soldier and a paramedic, in the 53rd Battalion of the Barak Brigade, were severely wounded. A combat officer in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit was severely wounded as well. The wounded soldiers were evacuated to hospitals, and their families were informed.

National Unity Chairman Minister Benny Gantz mourned the loss of his colleague’s son: “While touring the headquarters of the 162nd Division, we received bad news, Gal, the son of my friend Gadi Eisenkot, fell in battle. Gall did not hesitate and reported for reserve duty for the nation which he was educated to love and which he loved with every fiber of his soul.”

He added: “Together with the rest of the people of Israel, I send support to Gadi and his family, and a big hug. We are all committed to continue fighting for the holy objective for which Gal fell.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his condolences to Gadi Eisenkot. “The government of Israel and the citizens of Israel mourn together with you. Our heroes did not fall in vain. We will continue to fight until victory,” Netanyahu wrote on X.

As of Thursday, a total of 88 IDF soldiers have been killed in Gaza in the two months since October 7.