War between Israel and Hamas: son of Israeli minister, soldier killed in Gaza
Tel Aviv: Amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants, another tragic incident has been reported from the Gaza Strip. The son of Israeli Minister Gadi Eisenkot, Master Sgt. (res.) Gal Meir Eisenkot and Sgt. Major (res.) of the 55th Brigade’s 6623rd Reconnaissance Battalion, Jonathan David Deitch, was killed on Thursday, the Times of Israel reported. According to the Israel Defense Force (IDF), 25-year-old Eisenkot, from the 699th battalion of the 551st Brigade in Herzliya, was killed in northern Gaza.
The IDF added that three other soldiers suffered horrific injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment, confirming that Deitch was killed during a firefight in the southern Strip. Notably, the deceased soldier’s father, Gadi Eisenkot, is a former IDF chief of staff and currently serves as a minister in the emergency government on behalf of Benny Gantz’s National Unity Party. Eisenkot is also an observer in the high-level war cabinet, responsible for leading the decision-making team amid the ongoing war, the daily said.
The IDF stated that Gal Meir Eisenkot was killed after a bomb explosion in a tunnel shaft in the Jabaliya camp in northern Gaza. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Eisenkot received news of his son’s death Thursday while touring the IDF’s Southern Command with Benny Gantz, the Times of Israel said in its report.
A total of 89 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive in Gaza began.
The IDF announced the deaths of Eisenkot and Deitch during heavy fighting in Gaza as Israeli forces pushed into major Hamas strongholds in the northern and southern parts of the coastal enclave, The Times of Israel reported.
Politicians and other dignitaries expressed their condolences to the minister over the huge loss.
In a statement, Benny Gantz said: “Our hearts are broken. On the eve of Hanukkah, Gal’s candle was extinguished,” referring to the Jewish day of light that begins on Thursday evening.
“We are all determined to continue fighting for the sacred mission in whose name Gal fell,” he added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his condolences, stating that Gal Eisenkot was a brave warrior and a true hero.
“Our heroes did not fall in vain. We will continue until victory,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, adding: “May we be worthy of the sacrifice of Gal, and of all those who fell in this just war.”
Speaking about the late soldier’s military career, Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated that he had “dedicated his entire life to the security of Israel, the IDF and the country, and that he and his family are now paying an unbearable price.”
“Gal has been trained in the love of nation and country since his youth and acted in this spirit all the time, even when he was murdered,” Herzog added.
“Together with the entire nation, I embrace the heartbroken Israeli families, whose sacrifice is heavy and unbearably heavy, and pledge: we will continue to protect our people and our beloved country, for them and for ourselves,” the president said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid also spoke about the glittering military careers of Gadi Eisenkot and Gal Meir Eisenkot. He shared a photo of Gadi and Gal Eisenkot and wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “They answer the call, show up when they’re needed and do what they need to do. The fate of an entire country in one embrace.”