Two Israeli soldiers were killed and another four were wounded, one seriously, in a gunbattle with Arabs yesterday morning, near the community of Dugit. IDF forces killed one of the attackers, but the others got away. The two fallen soldiers, St.-Sgt. Chaim Yechezkel Gutman, 22, of Beit El, and 20-year-old Sgt. Alexei Gladkov, of Be\'er Sheva, were laid to rest in their hometown cemeteries this afternoon.
Sgt. Gladkov, considered a gifted student, was to begin an officers\' course next week. He immigrated from Russia to Israel nine years ago, together with his mother and sister.
Gutman, known as Chezky, was eulogized by Rabbi Avigdor Nebentzahl, as well as by his teacher in the Keshet pre-military yeshiva academy in which he studied for a year, and others. Several hundred people attended the funeral, which was marked by the sobbing of his parents, his seven siblings, and other mourners. Chezky was chosen to be the battalion\'s medic, \"because you were the best there is,\" in the graveside words of his army commander.
Sgt. Gladkov, considered a gifted student, was to begin an officers\' course next week. He immigrated from Russia to Israel nine years ago, together with his mother and sister.
Gutman, known as Chezky, was eulogized by Rabbi Avigdor Nebentzahl, as well as by his teacher in the Keshet pre-military yeshiva academy in which he studied for a year, and others. Several hundred people attended the funeral, which was marked by the sobbing of his parents, his seven siblings, and other mourners. Chezky was chosen to be the battalion\'s medic, \"because you were the best there is,\" in the graveside words of his army commander.