Captain Harel Itach, 22, from Netanya, a deputy commander in the Givati Patrol, was wounded a week ago in battle in Gaza. Today, the IDF announced that Harel had died of his wounds.
His mother, Siegel, asked to pray for his recovery at the time. "My dear son, my hero Harel, was mortally wounded in Gaza. His condition is critical and he is fighting for his life. I beg you to pray for the speedy recovery of my hero Harel."
Eitan Zur, a family friend, eulogized him: "We all prayed for Harel's healing. This afternoon we were informed that he had succumbed to his wounds. May the memory be blessed of the hero Harel."
Family friend Efrat Zuaretz: "What a heartbreaking ending to such a difficult and busy week. Just yesterday I was in Soroka and we hoped for the best.
The crew of 40 Givati Patrol lost its revered commander Harel Itach - a hero of Israel. Endless sadness and sorrow. Great and immense pain, how much we wanted, how much we wished, that you would overcome the fatal injury. May his memory be blessed, may your rest be Eden. A huge hug to the family and the entire cruiser family.
Our hearts are with you."
Netanya Mayor Miriam Feirberg eulogized him: "I can't believe I won't see the wonderful smile of Harel, who went into battle to defend the State of Israel, was seriously wounded and died. Every day I spoke with the family, we prayed, we wished for his recovery, but he did not survive. He was a pure soul, full of kindness and giving. My daughter was his teacher in elementary school, and angels like him had the phrase 'beauty of the balloon and the title' written about him. It is no longer difficult to contain the intensity of the pain we all experience. The residents of Netanya all embrace and strengthen the bereaved family and feel the pain of all the bereaved families who lost their loved ones."
The Netanya Municipality said: "Netanya bows its head with the fallen of the hero, Givati Patrol Deputy Commander Harel Itach, a resident of the city, who fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip. After days of doctors struggling to save him, after he was mortally wounded, Harel succumbed to his wounds. He was 22. May his memory be blessed."
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