Five Israeli Soldiers Killed by Mortar Shell...A SAD MORNING IN GAZA

Aug 01, 2014, 11:55AM | Rachel Avraham | 5 AV, 5774 Throughout Israel’s history, IDF soldiers have fallen in defense of their country and families. Sadly, this is an ongoing reality as the IDF operates in Gaza to defend Israel from Hamas rocket fire and the threat of terrorist infiltration by tunnels. The following brave soldiers fell in the fight to protect Israel. May their memory be blessed. Five Israeli soldiers were killed yesterday by a mortar in the Eshkol Regional Council. In the same incident, eight other soldiers were wounded and were evacuated by helicopter. This brings the death toll among Israeli soldiers to 61 since Operation Protective Edge began. Eight before the announcement of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the IDF Spokespersons Unit announced the death of five soldiers who were killed yesterday evening by a mortar fired at the Eshkol Regional Council. In that same incident, eight other soldiers were wounded. The wounded were evacuated by helicopter to a hospital. The IDF stated that the tragic news was delivered to the families. Since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge, 61 Israeli soldiers and officers have been killed. During the last day, a total of 19 soldiers were wounded as part of Operation Protective Edge.

Staff Sergeant Liel Gidoni, killed by Hamas terrorists in the southern Gaza Strip.

Captain (res.) Liran Adir (Edry), killed operating along the border with the Gaza Strip when a mortar was fired at the forces.

Sergeant Noam Rosenthal, killed operating along the border with the Gaza Strip when a mortar was fired at the forces.

Sergeant First Class (Res.) Daniel Marash, killed operating along the border with the Gaza Strip when a mortar was fired at the forces. He was discharged from the IDF earlier this year but was called for reserve duty. Just two days ago he and his fellow soldiers were hosted by a family in the South prior to entering Gaza. Marash left them a parting thank you note and his phone number in the note and told them not to hesitate to call should they need anything. He is survived by his parents and three siblings. Marash was laid to rest on Friday afternoon in the military section of Holon cemetery.

Captain Omri Tal, killed operating along the border with the Gaza Strip when a mortar was fired at the forces. Yoram Tal, the father of fallen soldier Capt. Omri Tal, 22, from Yehud told Channel 2 on Friday that “My son was a beautiful boy; he was like a movie star." “He knew from the North to the South every hiking trail in this country and every free day that he had he would go out hiking,” he said. His father added that he had been worried and had called Tal every few hours to see what his status was, but on Thursday his son no longer answered and he knew that he had gone into Gaza, he said. "I lost my dear son and I loved him with all my soul but life will go on and I choose life and we will go on as a family, as a society, and as a nation," his father said choking on tears. Details for his funeral have yet to be released.