The IDF on Tuesday said that three reservists were killed by an explosive device placed in a building, in the fighting in Khan Younis.
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They are: Lt. Col. (res.) Netanel Yaacov Elkouby, 36, the commander of the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade’s 630th Battalion, from Haifa.
Maj. (res.) Yair Cohen, 30, an acting company commander in the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade’s 630th Battalion, from Ramat Gan.
Sgt. First Class (res.) Ziv Chen, 27, of the Gaza Division’s Southern Brigade’s 630th Battalion, from Kfar Saba.
Elkouby's predecessor in the command of the battalion, Zeev Katz wrote in a post on Facebook: "What a dark and cursed day. How did three of the best, go? Nati you replaced me as battalion commander and quickly made it your own. I watched from the sidelines as you lifted the battalion up and was so happy that it was you who I chose to replace me. I knew you would succeed. but now, just days before the battalion is to be discharged, you fell fulfilling the mission you so wanted. You were an excellent officer, you stood out above the rest. The battalion took a hit but you build it strong. I am certain you will be a part of its heritage forever."
Elkouby was survived by his wife Sarit and his three children. He is from a well-known family in Kiryat Yam, near Haifa and was a chef in a Tiberias hotel. He received a citation for excellence from the Chief of Staff.
Major (res.) Yair Cohen from Ramat Gan was the deputy commander of the 630 battalion. he was 30 years old. His funeral will take place on Tuesday at 3 pm at the Kiryat Shaul military cemetery in Tel Aviv.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Ziv Chen was killed in the fighting in Khan Younis. Kfar Saba was 27 years old.
He was a graduate of the Yeruham Yeshiva which has already lost many of its alumni and was survived by his wife who is carrying their first child.
His uncle Dani Chen said he stood out in his studies as a brilliant student. "he was a walking encyclopedia," he said. "I saw him two weeks ago. He was a perfect child and is a great loss to everyone."
Kfar Saba municipality said in a statement that the city mourns Chen's death. "He fought valiantly with his comrades in the battalion," the statement read.
Several other fighters were injured in the explosion including two other members of the battalion who have suffered severe injuries.