Col. Yitzhak Ben Basht, who was in the process of retiring from the IDF, was among the nine fighters killed Tuesday night in the disaster in Sejaiya. He was killed while commanding the Golani brigade commander.
Ben Basht, a resident of Moshav Sde Yaakov, is the son of Edna and Rafi, former deputy head of the Binyamin Regional Council. He was survived by his wife and four children.
IDF forces' activity in the Gaza Strip (archive), photo: IDF Spokesperson
Israel Gantz, head of the Binyamin Council, eulogized Ben Basht: "Yitzhak was one of the heroes and greats of this land, one of the finest fruits of Benjamin, who fell in defense of the people and the land he loved so much, as he was educated in his home steeped in love of Israel and love of the Land of Israel. He fought at the head of the forces – and fell like a hero of Israel."
He added: "At this difficult time, we convey our condolences to his wife and four children and surround his parents, the builders of the settlement. Thanks to him and the rest of the fallen, and unlike the dear families, we will gain light and a great victory."
Ben Basht's older sister, Hamutal, is currently in Canada and is making her way to Israel to attend his funeral. Another sister of the two, Sivan, died of a serious illness in 2009.
His funeral will take place at 15 p.m. at the cemetery in Kfar Tavor.
IDF soldiers' activity in the Gaza Strip, yesterday (those photographed have no connection to the report), photo: IDF Spokesperson
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