Capt. Benny Weiss from Haifa, platoon commander in the 195th Battalion of the Bnei Or Brigade (460), fell in battle in the northern Gaza Strip, aged 22. He was posthumously promoted to captain.
"The last time we saw him was on October 7, on Black Saturday he was called to report to the base. My husband took him to Yokneam and from there he drove to the base. We haven't seen him since, we just got to correspond and talk on the phone, he said he's okay," says his mother, Ina.
"I drove him and I had a very heavy heart. I knew it was dangerous. I asked him to come home and look after us, and he said: 'Dad, we have to do a mission. I'm an officer and I have to do what needs to be done,'" his father Eli says.
Capt. Benny Weiss, photo: courtesy of the family
Did you know he entered Gaza?
Ellie: "We felt. He doesn't usually say much about what has to do with the military. Last Friday he called, said he was moving to the base, for training of a Merkava Barak tank, and we were very happy. He said he was giving up on this offer and wanted to enter Gaza with everyone. Last Friday, he said there was a campaign and phones were being returned. We asked him to be careful. See him at home. He said everything would be fine, so we wouldn't worry."
Ina: "That was the last call. He promised that he would return safe and sound. But that didn't happen."
When were you informed?
Ina: "They came to us yesterday at 11 o'clock at night. We heard knocking on the door and realized that a disaster had happened, a terrible disaster, we had lost my son."
Eli: "My son had to finish his job as a basic training officer and go to a staff position. He was supposed to be released in six months. He had a lot of plans. He will be greatly missed. Throughout the years in the army, we got to see him a few times at home. At home, too, his thoughts were about the army, about his soldiers. Even when he was home, he would go out to visit his soldiers, to check on them, whether they had any problems. It was my son."
Capt. Benny Weiss, photo: courtesy of the family
"He was very loved by everyone. He had a lot of friends. Everyone loved him. Soldiers and commanders. What characterized him most was his smile, the light of his face and the aspiration for excellence. He was not afraid of difficulties. He was a pure soul who always wanted to help. Was loved by all. He will be greatly missed."
He is survived by his parents, Inna and Ellie, and two brothers: Tommy, 19, and Danny, 13.
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