The IDF announced Saturday evening the deaths of two soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip. They were named as Staff Sgt. Yair Avitan, 20, of the Paratroopers Brigade's 890th Battalion, from Ra'anana; and Sgt. First Class (res.) Yakir Shmuel Tatelbaum, 21, of the 7th Armored Brigade's 77th Battalion, from Ma'ale Adumim.
Avitan leaves behind his parents and three younger siblings. He grew up and went to school in Ra'anana, graduating from the Amit Kfar Batya scientific-technological High School. He was buried at the Ra'anana military cemetery.
Shirit Avitan Cohen, Israel Hayom political commentator and Avitan's aunt, eulogized 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, on participating in this just war for our people. How worried we were every time you were there. Your grandparents lit trays of candles for you. Prayers to all the righteous just for you to return safely, and this time you didn't come back. There are no words to console your absence."
Ra'anana Mayor Chaim Broida said, "Our hearts break upon learning of the fall in battle of Staff Sgt. Yair Avitan, a son of our city, salt of the earth, who risked his life in defense of the country's security. The Ra'anana community shares the pain of the Avitan family, embraces them, and surrounds them in their difficult hour."
Tatelbaum was a student of Warrant Officer (res.) Elon Weiss, who fell in Gaza two weeks earlier. At the time, he wrote of his teacher, "The heart is broken. Elon Weiss, Teacher Elon. A great educator I had the privilege to know – so pleasant and right for his students and those around him. How I loved to joke with you at school, on trips, after classes, trying to annoy you as much as possible. A teacher loved by everyone without exception."
The deaths of Avitan and Tatelbaum bring the toll of the IDF ground operation to 318.
