The five victims of yesterday's attack were:
Lt. Aviv Hakani, 23, from Ashdod - the "Tunnels Commander" of the Gaza Formation, who tried to learn everything he could about how the tunnels were made and worked. His mother said, "I was always worried for him, but he would say, 'If I won't be there, who will do the work?' I'm so proud of him and I love him so much." Aviv is survived by his parents and two younger sisters.
Sgt. Zohar Smeilov, 20, from Ofakim. His family immigrated to Israel from Caucasia (Russian Kavkaz) ten years ago. He is survived by his parents and three siblings.
Sgt. Lior Vishinski, 20, from Ramat Gan. His father Shlomo, an actor, said this morning, "I asked him, 'What are you doing there? You're a leftist!' and he answered me, 'Abba, the army is everyone's, not just the right-wing.'" His father quoted him as saying with satisfaction on another occasion that he was doing the work of "preventing the terrorists from getting to the other side." Despite this, Shlomo could not hide his bitterness, saying, "Maybe the funeral should leave from the Likud headquarters." He said that Lior was his younger sister's best friend: "I'll get over it, but I don't know how she will."
Sgt.-Maj. Aiman Gadir, 24, from the Bedouin village of Bir El-Makhsur in the Galilee. He chose to remain in the army after he completed his regular service. He is survived by parents and four siblings.
Corp. Elad Cohen, 20, from Gilo, Jerusalem, described by his neighbor, Israel Radio's veteran broadcaster Menachem Peri, as "quiet and serious... He flowered in combat duty, where he made many friends." He is survived by parents and two brothers.
In the meantime, enough remains of the six soldiers killed Tuesday morning have been found to allow burial, and their funerals are being held today. The family of Yaakov Marviza, who immigrated to Israel alone two years ago, has asked to bury him in their hometown in Yugoslavia. Four other soldiers are being buried at two-hour intervals at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, beginning at 12:30 PM. Sgt. Ofer Jerbi will be laid to rest this afternoon at 4:30 in the Yavneh Military Cemetery.
Lt. Aviv Hakani, 23, from Ashdod - the "Tunnels Commander" of the Gaza Formation, who tried to learn everything he could about how the tunnels were made and worked. His mother said, "I was always worried for him, but he would say, 'If I won't be there, who will do the work?' I'm so proud of him and I love him so much." Aviv is survived by his parents and two younger sisters.
Sgt. Zohar Smeilov, 20, from Ofakim. His family immigrated to Israel from Caucasia (Russian Kavkaz) ten years ago. He is survived by his parents and three siblings.
Sgt. Lior Vishinski, 20, from Ramat Gan. His father Shlomo, an actor, said this morning, "I asked him, 'What are you doing there? You're a leftist!' and he answered me, 'Abba, the army is everyone's, not just the right-wing.'" His father quoted him as saying with satisfaction on another occasion that he was doing the work of "preventing the terrorists from getting to the other side." Despite this, Shlomo could not hide his bitterness, saying, "Maybe the funeral should leave from the Likud headquarters." He said that Lior was his younger sister's best friend: "I'll get over it, but I don't know how she will."
Sgt.-Maj. Aiman Gadir, 24, from the Bedouin village of Bir El-Makhsur in the Galilee. He chose to remain in the army after he completed his regular service. He is survived by parents and four siblings.
Corp. Elad Cohen, 20, from Gilo, Jerusalem, described by his neighbor, Israel Radio's veteran broadcaster Menachem Peri, as "quiet and serious... He flowered in combat duty, where he made many friends." He is survived by parents and two brothers.
In the meantime, enough remains of the six soldiers killed Tuesday morning have been found to allow burial, and their funerals are being held today. The family of Yaakov Marviza, who immigrated to Israel alone two years ago, has asked to bury him in their hometown in Yugoslavia. Four other soldiers are being buried at two-hour intervals at Mt. Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, beginning at 12:30 PM. Sgt. Ofer Jerbi will be laid to rest this afternoon at 4:30 in the Yavneh Military Cemetery.