The 5 fallen soldiers
The 5 fallen soldiersIDF Spokesperson

Five soldiers, Captain Yair Yakov Shushan, Staff Sergeant Yahav Hadar, Staff Sergeant Guy Karmiel, Staff Sergeant Yoav Feffer, and Staff Sergeant Aviel Wiseman, fell in battle in the Gaza Strip, it was cleared for publication Monday evening.

Eight other soldiers from the Reconnaissance Battalion of the Nahal Brigade were severely injured in the same incident in which the five were killed.

The Ma'alot-Tarshiha municipality announced earlier that city resident Captain Yair Shushan fell in battle in the Gaza Strip.

Ma'alot-Tashiha Mayor Moti Ben-David said that last summer Yair received a certificate of honor from the Prime Minister and the Chief of Staff during the completion of an officers' course.

"Yair the hero grew up and was educated in the city, fought bravely in the last war. His heroism stands before our eyes. The entire community of the city of Ma'alot Tarshiha embraces the dear family in this difficult time and sends its sincere condolences. May you never know any more sorrow and grief," Ben-David said.

His high school said in a statement, The Ma'alot Ort Yeshiva High School is shocked and saddened by the pain of our dear friends, Michael and Hadas Shoshan, and their beloved son Barak, a student [at the school], upon learning of the death of our dear graduate Yair Shoshan, a young man who was like the salt of the earth."

In addition, Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher announced the death of the late First Sergeant Yoav Fefer. He eulogized him, saying, "A brave warrior and beloved son of Guy and Idit, brother of Ori, Lilo and Rom. The Fefer family, my dear neighbors, who educated their children in the values ​​of love of country, endless giving, and loyalty to the people and the state."

He said, "Yoav was not just a neighbor. He was an integral part of our community - a young man with values, who was modest and had many dreams, who sacrificed what was dearest to us to protect us. It is difficult to digest the loss. Our city and the community lost a true hero. This pain, which pierces the hearts of all of us, is a pain that has no words. Yoav was a role model, a figure of leadership, courage, and solidarity."

The town of Poria Illit also announced that Aviel Wiseman fell in Gaza and said, "We share in the heavy grief of the family, may they be comforted in the consolation of Zion and Jerusalem."