The town of Eli has announced that Major (res.) Amishar Ben David, a resident of the Yovel neighborhood of the town, was killed in action in Gaza over Shabbat (Sabbath).
He was 43, and served in the commando units' command center. He is survived by a wife and children.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich tweeted about him: "My dear cousin Amishar was killed in action in Gaza. We grew up together, with a special, strong bond. We called him Shanar. We spent breaks, weelends, trips, and celebrations together. What a man. What pain. There are no words for it."
"We had a barbecue together last summer. Who would have beleieved that would be our last picture together? He was a beloved member of the family," Smotrich concluded.
Ariel Elmaliach, the mayor of Eli, stated: "Amishar and I learned together in the premilitary academy 'Bnei David' in Eli, and the news of his death was like a knife in the heart. Amisar had a heart full of kindness and helping others, and served for years as the head of the town's MDA team."
"His death is a painful loss for our town. We share the pain of Shlomit and their children, as well as all the Ben-David family. May his memory be blessed.''
Amishar is the eighteenth student of the Bnei David academy to be killed in action since the war broke out.