Chief Warrant Officer (Res.) Guy Idan will be remembered for his love of life, his family and his efforts to secure the release of his cousin in Hamas captivity, those who knew him told Israeli media.
Idan, 51, is the cousin of Gaza hostage Tsachi Idan, who was abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7, according to Ynet.
"He will no longer get to see him return from captivity," a relative reportedly posted online in response to his death.
Idan was reportedly active in seeking the return of his cousin and the rest of the hostages from Hamas captivity.
He leaves behind a wife, Sharona, and two daughters Livy, 17, and Avishag, 13.
His family, according to Ynet, described how "Guy was a security man with every inch of his limbs. Devoted father and loving husband. An exemplary brother and guy. Guy loved life, guns and motorcycles, and for him, ginger is a character and not just a slogan. If there is a meaning to the term salt of the earth - it is a ravine. A big and rugged man with a huge heart and very sensitive to others."
When not serving in Lebanon, Idan oversaw the day-to-day security at Kibbutz Shomrat as a coordinator.
Idan fell alongside were named as Chief Warrant Officer (Res.) Omri Lotan, 47, from Bat Hefer; and Staff-Sergeant-Major Tom Segal, 28, from Ein Habesor; Major (Res.) Dan Maori, 43, from Beit Yitzhak, served as a battalion deputy commander and Captain (Res.) Alon Safrai, 28, from Jerusalem, served as a tank officer.
His funeral was held on Friday, October 25, 2024, at 1:00 PM at Shemarat Cemetery.
After the funeral, Idan's father Yigal spoke to KAN where he expressed his frustration that his son was serving at his advanced age while others were exempt. Yigal criticized Haredi Jews who are exempt under the "guise" they are worshipping.
"My son at the age of 51 went out to fight for the second or third time - one round in Gaza and the second round in Lebanon," Yigal said. "At that age. So yes, I have a lot of anger, especially towards the decision-makers."
"[Idan] told me, 'Dad, listen, if I don't do it, a person who has been in the reserves for 280, 290 and 300 days will do it. Upon my arrival in these reserves, I release a person who can sit at home.'"
Describing his son as a "great man, truly a great man," Yigal expressed how now he would have to look after Idan's children in his place.
About Tsachi Idan
Tsachi Idan was driven to Gaza on October 7 covered in the blood of his daughter Maayan, who was murdered by invaded Hamas terrorists, his wife Gali told the BBC in October.
Both Tsachi and Maayan had tried to save the family from terrorists invading the home.
"Tsachi held onto the door and didn't let them open it," Gali explained. "There's no lock on it and the kids are screaming and there's crazy chaos inside the room. It's dark, but then Maayan understood."
"She saw that they were able to open the door just a bit. And so she jumped up and helped Tsachi to grab the door."
Terrorists had live-streamed from Maayan’s phone after they killed her.
With the two surviving children screaming behind him, terrorists handcuffed Tsachi and drove him to Gaza where he remains hostage.