IDF Names 3 Soldiers Killed In Booby-Trapped Khan Younis Building, 2 Badly Injured

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit released the names of three soldiers, all reservists, who fell in battle in Southern Gaza. The three fell when a booby-trap exploded in a house they were scouring in Khan Younis. Two other reservists were severely injured in the incident.

Lt. Col. (res.) Netanel Yaacov Elkouby, 36, from Haifa, fell in battle in southern Gaza.

Elkouby, who worked as a chef in his civilian life, is survived by his wife, Sarit, and five children.

Born in Kiryat Yam north of Haifa, Elkouby studied in the religious Levinson school and then joined the Givati brigade in his army service. In 2019 he was chosen as one of the Chief of Staff’s outstanding soldiers and later he was appointed as the commander of 630, a reserve combat engineer’s unit. During the first part of the war the battalion was responsible for securing the southern Gaza border region.

Nati was described as “a dear person, a fighter and man of action, a husband and father of five children who was taken prematurely in the horrendous war in Gaza while he was protecting his country.”

Capt. (res.) Yair Cohen, 30, from Ramat Gan, fell in battle in southern Gaza.

Cohen worked as a construction engineer in his home town and had gotten married only a month ago.

Sergeant first class (res.) Ziv Chen, 27, from Kfar Saba, fell in battle in southern Gaza.

Chen, who is survived by his pregnant wife (they were supposed to celebrate their 1st anniversary this week) is the ninth alumnus of Yeshivat Yerucham to fall in the Swords of Steel campaign. The Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Chaim Wolfson, described him as the “mainstay of the Beit Midrash.” and said that he lived up to his name: “He was all light, a loving and loved person, a student who loved people, loved the Torah and loved all that he was involved in. Ziv connected the young and old, the students and their teachers. He was attached to all of the Torah- in study, prayer, service of Hashem and in learning Gemara.”

Friends described Ziv as an “Illui” (prodigy) who was already teaching others at age 18 and was a dedicated student.

Rabbi Wolfson said that “Our grief is as great as the sea. We have no words, this is a terrible catastrophe for the yeshiva, we sat and cried all night.”

May their blood be avenged.