The IDF on Monday named Sgt. Omri Tamari, Sgt. Yosef Hieb, Sgt. Yoav Agmon, and Sgt. Amitai Alon as the four soldiers killed in Hezbollah’s Sunday evening drone attack on a Golani Brigade training base near Binyamina.
Tamari was from Mazkeret Batya, Hieb was from Tuba-Zanghariya, Agmon was from Binyamina-Givat Ada, and Alon was from Ramot Naftali. All four were 19 years old. They were in infantry training when they were killed at the base.Alon sought to follow his family’s legacy and had enlisted in Golani like many of his uncles, according to Israel Hayom.
His uncle Avi Alharar said Alon “was like my little brother. He was in a local security team for Ramot Naftali, where his home was. A few minutes before the attack, he talked to his mother on the phone. He went to have dinner, and [then] he was hit. He wanted to be a combat soldier and a leader like his uncles; a special boy.”
Many of Alon’s family members serve in the reserves, including his mother, who is a lieutenant-colonel and served as a commander of a multidimensional supply cell in the Northern Command, according to KAN.
“My heart refuses to believe. In what altered reality do I accompany my sister to her son’s grave? The path to the fields of the moshav ends here. Maybe we will pick pears and apples up there, our beautiful angel. Nothing will heal this pain. Only eight months ago, I brought you to training,” another of Alon’s uncles said.
Sixty-seven people were wounded in the drone attack on Sunday, and in addition to the four soldiers killed, seven were critically wounded. Five were seriously wounded and 14 were moderately wounded.
IDF Chief Halevi visits base of drone attack
The drone was launched from Lebanon under the cover of a rocket barrage that concealed its approach. One of two launched by Hezbollah, this drone struck the army base, whereas the other was successfully shot down over the sea. Sirens were not activated to warn of the incoming fire.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi visited the training base on Monday to conduct an initial investigation with the officers there and talk to the medical teams.
“We are at war, and an attack on a training base on the home front is difficult. The results are painful,” he said. “You operated well to treat and evacuate the wounded. Embrace the bereaved families, accompany the wounded, and strengthen the commanders and soldiers.”
The chief of staff added that the military would continue to prepare for and face the challenges ahead.
“The Golani Brigade recorded many achievements in the war and dealt resolutely with difficult situations. Continue on the path of this legacy,” Halevi said.
Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.