The IDF announced on Wednesday the names of 3 more killed in action in Jabalia in northern Gaza: Gideon Chay DeRowe,33, from Tel Aviv; Israel Yudkin, 22, from Kfar Chabad; and Eliyahu Haim Emsallem, 21, from Ra'anana.
The soldiers are the latest in Israel's battle to eradicate Hamas, with the focus of the Israeli operation in the city of Rafah. So far, almost 290 soldiers lost their lives in the war that started on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israeli communities and army bases in the south, killing almost 1200 people and kidnapping 250.
Sergeant Israel Yudkin was a platoon sergeant in the Netzach Yehuda Battalion. He left behind his parents, Tova and Tzipi. "I remember the heroic fighter Israel Yudkin, who was killed today in Gaza, as a child at the summer camps in Kfar Chabad," family friend Israelik Nevol wrote. "He was full of energy and always had a smile on his face. Once before a trip, I saw him arrive at the kiosk where one of the kids didn't have money to buy something. Israel quietly took out his wallet and paid for it modestly, without anyone noticing. That's just how he was – an angel who helped others selflessly and contributed to the greater good."
Staff Sergeant Eli Eliyahu Amsalem was also a fighter in the Netzach Yehuda Battalion. He immigrated to Israel with his family from France in 2015 and was a graduate of the Amit High School in Kfar Batya. Upon his death, he left behind his parents, Jack and Alexandra, and his siblings Yechezkel and Gila.
Isabel, Eli's teacher at Amit High School, relates that "Eli was an amazing young man with a captivating smile. He never gave up on himself despite the language barriers and challenges of adjusting as a new immigrant. He successfully completed his studies and earned a quality matriculation certificate. He was a student who dreamed of being a combat soldier, a young man who loved learning the Torah and always had a smile on his face."
Master Sergeant (res.) Gideon Chay DeRowe, was a fighter in the Yahalom combat engineering unit. Ichilov Hospital stated: "The Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center mourns the loss of Master Sergeant (res.) Gideon DeRowe, the son of Prof. Ari DeRowe, director of the pediatric otolaryngology unit at Ichilov. The Ichilov family embraces and supports Prof. DeRowe and his family during this difficult time. May Gideon's memory be a blessing."
The fighters were killed in two separate incidents. Sergeant Israel Yudkin and Staff Sergeant Eliyahu Chaim Amsalem were killed by sniper fire. Master Sergeant (res.) Gideon DeRowe was killed due to an explosion from a rigged building. In these incidents, three additional soldiers were injured, one of them in serious condition.
