Israel’s 109th Day of War…There are no words
Twenty-four Israeli soldiers were killed in the Gaza Strip in two separate incidents on Monday, marking the deadliest day for Israel since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7.
In one incident, 19 reservists were killed when Hamas gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade at two buildings, resulting in their collapse. Another rocket-propelled grenade hit a tank guarding the site, killing two soldiers. The buildings, located within half a mile from the border, were laden with mines by Israeli troops as part of a strategy to demolish Hamas sites and establish a buffer zone.
“An RPG launched by Hamas hit a residential complex where dozens of our soldiers were operating. Initial estimates suggest that the RPG triggered the explosives inside, causing a catastrophic collapse,” the IDF said in a statement. The IDF announced plans to form a special investigative team to probe the incident thoroughly, with the aim of preventing similar occurrences.
In a separate incident that occurred earlier on Monday, three officers in the Paratroopers Brigade were killed and another seriously injured during a battle in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis.
As rescue operations at the site of the RPG attack extended for hours on Monday, a wave of rumors and unverified reports, including conjectures about missing and potentially abducted soldiers, swept across Israel. IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari has since appealed for restraint and sensitivity. “Behind the rumors are families experiencing their worst hour,” he said on Tuesday morning.
The dead were all reservists, ranging from 22 to 40 and coming from all over the country, including major cities and small towns, and from both religious and secular backgrounds. One was from the Bedouin Arab city of Rahat.
For sure there no words but am including here a tribute received today from Rabbi David Geffen here in Jerusalem, which captures the anguish that all of us are feeling.
Am Yisrael (People of Israel) we cry, we mourn on this saddest of days
We cannot be silent as upon us this anguish weighs
Parents, Wives, Sisters, Brothers send their loved ones out
Now they must deal with their deaths, that is what war is about
These young men went out to fight to give their all
Now they have been torn from us, just memories we recall
Weaponry of the deadliest type are in our hands
We never know where the explosion bringing death lands
I feel so alone, trying so hard their loss to explain
Deep down, within all of us, such excruciating pain
We challenge the heavens, oh, such a moment to meet
These young men, brave, wondrous ever so sweet
Why does this happen as our brave and bold, us, protect
They are gone, Hashem (Lord), indeed they were so perfect
Tears fill our eyes, such sadness we must endure
For family, friends, all of us will never forget souls so pure
Can we do anything, give us strength let us not stand still
Push our leaders, push them hard, a new approach fulfill
This day casts its spell, reminding us once again
It must end, shout out “leaders” when, when, when ?
I must go out, I cannot sit here trying to understand
David, call upon who you are for this is your land
Have watched our nation grow, mostly our children so brave
Each one in his or her way trying daily our nation to save
Life is the one treasure which each of us possess
Filled with the love we generate and also our success
Stolen away from these delicate, sweet souls
Let us remember them as the bell of their death tolls
Goodbye, goodbye on the television your faces we have all seen
How we wish we could bring you back on your strength to lean
Mourn my friends, let anguish and hope somehow fill our heart
We stand erect, salute you, such brave ones as you depart
Remembering each of you
May their sacrifice not be for naught and may their memories be blessed.