The IDF reported Thursday that Captain Ben Zion Falach, aged 21, from Nitzanei Oz, an officer in the 202nd Battalion, Paratroopers Brigade, fell a day earlier, during combat in southern Lebanon.
Captain Ben Zion Falach is the ninth soldier to fall since the ground operation in Lebanon began. Since the start of the war, 723 have fallen and 4,490 injured.
Eyal, Ben's father, shared: "He was a true hero of Israel in every sense. He was educated from the age of 15 at the Military Command Academy near the Reali School in Haifa, a prestigious institution that shapes future IDF combat leaders. After graduating, he joined the Paratroopers' 202nd Battalion and quickly rose to become an officer. He fought alongside soldiers he had trained from basic training, through advanced training, then in Gaza, and now in Lebanon. He was a handsome young man."
The father added, "His twin brother also serves as a combat operative, and their older brother, Amit, is a paratrooper in the reserves up north. Ben fell Wednesday while all three were on the northern front, fighting at the same time. His twin brother was involved in another incident, Ben was in the paratroopers’ clash, and their older brother is also up north. We’ve given everything we have. We've been endlessly concerned for them this past year, ever since the war began, as they go in and out of operations."
The father continued, "Ben loved to travel and knew every corner of the country. He was a triathlete and a talented guitarist."
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First published: 20:16, 10.03.24