Two IDF soldiers from the Golani Brigade fell in battle in Gaza, the IDF said.
Colonel Itzhak Ben Basat, age 44 from Sde Yaakov, who served as commander of a command room in the Golani Brigade, fell in battle on Tuesday night in northern Gaza.
Sergeant Eran Aloni, 19 years old from Ofakim, fought in Battalion 51 of the Golani Brigade, and fell on Tuesday night during battle in northern Gaza.
"The Yesha Council shares in the grief of Edna and Rafi Ben Basat on the death of their son Col. Itzhak Ben Basat, 44, HY”D, head of the Golani Brigade’s commander’s team, who fell in Gaza defending the State of Israel," the Council said.
"Rafi, Yitzchak's father, is the former deputy head of the Binyamin Regional Council, was one of the leaders in the struggle against the 2005 expulsion from Gush Katif through the Yesha Council, and was at the forefront of building communities in Judea and Samaria.
"Yitzhak, known as 'Benba', was a brave warrior, who was brought up on the values of Zionism and love of the homeland, and fought with great courage before falling in Gaza yesterday.
"We join in mourning his passing, along with the passing of all of the brave IDF fighters who fell sanctifying G-d’s name. May their memories serve as a blessing."
Earlier on Wednesday, the IDF announced the deaths of eight soldiers, including a commander, who fell in battle in Gaza.
-Lieutenant colonel Tomer Grinberg, 35, from Almog, commander of the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, was killed last night in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
-Major Roei Meldasi, 23, from Afula, Company Commander in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade, was killed last night in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
-Major Moshe Avram Bar On, 23, from Ra'anana, Company Commander in the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade, was killed last night in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
-Sergeant Achia Daskal, 19, from Haifa, a soldier in the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade, was killed last night in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
-Captain Liel Hayo, 22, from Shoham, Platoon Commander in the 51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade, was killed last night in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
-MajorBen Shelly, 26, from Kidron, was killed last night in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
-Sergeant first class Rom Hecht, 20, from Givatayim, fell last night in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
-Staff sergeant Oriya Yaakov, 19, from Ashkelon, was killed yesterday in battle in northern Gaza Strip.