Thousands of Eilat residents, family members, and friends gathered on Thursday to pay final respects to Chief Master Sergeant (Res.) Tamir Vaknin, a soldier in the 2855th Battalion, 55th Brigade, who fell during combat in southern Lebanon.
His father, Shimon Vaknin, eulogized him: "Everyone loved you. You were a people person. Even those in your company in the military said that you would connect to the newer soldiers, to a point where they didn't know if you were old or new. I told you not to be first; be last. You laughed and said, 'It doesn't work like that.' You didn't tell me when you went into Lebanon, you didn't want to worry me."
The bereaved father parted in tears: "I need to bury my son instead of escorting him to his wedding. Yesterday morning, I called you, but you didn't answer. I felt that something bad was happening."
Shimon shared, "I cried alone in the car out of longing. Thanks to you and thanks to your and your comrades' service, we are here. My heroic son, one last request: look out for siblings.
Vaknin was killed on Wednesday along with Major (Res.) Harel Birenstock by an explosive device detonation while operating in the village of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon. Four other IDF reserve soldiers were severely injured in the incident.
The IDF is investigating the circumstances of the incident, including when the explosive device was planted and whether it was detonated by Hezbollah terrorists. At the same time, the IDF struck terrorist infrastructure in the area, including weapons storage facilities and operational apartments, saying the strikes were carried out in response to what it described as a violation of the ceasefire by the terrorist organization.