Eretz Yisroel Mourns After 11 Soldiers Killed In Gaza – “Eis Tzarah Hi L’Yaakov”

By FrumNews.com 

On Shabbos, the IDF confirmed that eleven soldiers were killed al kiddush Hashem. Seven were killed when an APC (armored personnel carrier) caught fire after hitting an explosive device planted by Hamas terrorists in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah on Shabbos. Three others were killed as well

The eight soldiers killed in the APC:

• Sgt. Eliyahu Moshe Zimbalist, Hy”d, 21, from Beis Shemesh
• Sgt. Itay Amar, Hy”d, 19, from Kochav Yair
• Sgt. Stanislav Kostarev, Hy”d, 21, from Ashdod
• Sgt. Or Blumovitz, Hy”d, 20, from Pardes Hanna-Karkur
• Sgt. Oz Yeshaya Gruber, Hy”d, 20, from Tal Menashe
• Sgt. Yakir Ya’akov Levi, Hy”d, 21, from Hafetz Haim
• Sgt. Shalom Menachem, Hy”d, 21, from Beit El
• Capt. Wassem Mahmoud, 23, an Arab Druze Israeli soldier from Beit Jann, was killed in the APC explosion.

They were part of the 401 Battalion.

Levi, Menachem, and Zimbalist were classmates at Yeshivas Shalavim.

Three others were killed in other parts of Gaza over the weekend:

• Cpt. (res.) Eitan Koplovich, Hy”d, 28, from Yerushalayim.
• Staff Sgt. Tzur Abraham, Hy”d, 22, from Modi’in
• Warrant Officer (res.) Elon Weiss, Hy”d, 49, from Psagot.

During the incident in which First Sergeant Abraham fell, a combat officer who serves as a field investigator in Unit 504 was severely wounded. The officer who was injured was evacuated to the hospital to receive medical treatment. His family has been informed.

Despite the enormous tragedy, IDF troops continue to move forward in Rafah. The IDF did not announce much about today’s activity, but troops were seen operating in Rafah, Nuseirat, along the Netzarim Corridor, and in specific areas in Northern Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Today we paid a heart-rending price in our just war in defense of our homeland. With deep sorrow, and in heavy mourning, I bow my head together with all citizens of Israel and weep over the fall of our heroic fighters”

“We are in the midst of a very difficult war. The war is being conducted on several fronts, including the international front. We are ready for many additional challenges. It is at this time that we must show our people’s strength of spirit, thanks to which we have overcome all of our enemies.”

“Together we will fight and with Hashem’s help, together we will win,” he added.

IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said, “Today we received an additional painful reminder of the price of war and that behind the achievements of the war stand brave soldiers, heroes, who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the State of Israel.”