Master Sgt. Gal Meir Eisenkot, 25, a reservist in Israel’s 551st Brigade, lost his life in Gaza, marking a poignant chapter in the ongoing conflict.

Who was Gal Eisenkot?

Gal Eisenkot with his father, Gadi Eisenkot (x/@ostrov_a)

Master Sgt. Gal Meir Eisenkot, aged 25, served as a reservist in the 551st Brigade, 699th Battalion, hailing from Herzliya. Tragically, he lost his life in the Gaza Strip during the intense fighting against Hamas on December 7, 2023.

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Eisenkot, the son of former IDF chief of staff and current government minister Gadi Eisenkot, was fatally injured when a bomb exploded in a tunnel shaft near soldiers in the Jabaliya camp in northern Gaza. Despite being rushed to a hospital in Israel in grave condition, he succumbed to his injuries.

As a reservist in a commando unit, Eisenkot demonstrated dedication to his duty. The news of his death reverberated through political circles, prompting condolences from leaders across the spectrum. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed him as “a brave warrior and true hero,” pledging to continue the fight until victory.

Eisenkot’s father, Gadi Eisenkot, received the heartbreaking news while touring the IDF’s Southern Command alongside Defense Minister Benny Gantz. Gadi Eisenkot, an observer on the high-level war cabinet guiding decisions in the Gaza campaign, had previously expressed a personal commitment to managing the war as if his son were on the frontline.

The loss of Eisenkot adds to the toll of Israeli soldiers in the conflict, with the death toll in the ground offensive reaching 89. The broader context of the war dates back to October 7, triggered by Hamas attacks that resulted in casualties and hostages.

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Eisenkot’s funeral is scheduled in Herzliya, and his sacrifice emphasizes the human cost of the conflict. As Israel mourns the loss of another soldier, the impact resonates deeply in a nation where military service is a shared experience for many families.